During the latest in a series of meetings between the National Religious Party and the ultra-secularist Shinui party last night, party leaders Effie Eitam (NRP) and Tommy Lapid (Shinui) reached what they called "understandings" regarding several issues related to the Jewish character of the state.
The NRP and Shinui are negotiating in order to hammer out compromises that will allow the two parties to sit together in a possible right-center coalition government. The latest meeting was facilitated by former Jerusalem mayor and Likud Knesset Member Ehud Olmert, who signed a written protocol of the points agreed upon by the two sides. These include:
* The revocation of the so-called Tal Law, which formalizes draft deferments for full-time yeshiva students, and provides specific conscription arrangements for that sector. According to the agreement, this must be accomplished within a year, and substitute legislation must be introduced.
* The Large Family Law, which provides additional subsidies to families with many children, will also be abolished. The government will grant equal support to all families.
* The Ministry of Religious Affairs and religious councils will be eliminated as independent bodies, and will instead be included in the Interior Ministry.
In a televised appearance with Tommy Lapid today, Eitam said that he senses an evolution in the position and demeanor of his counterpart to the discussions. Lapid, for his part, did not relate to that point. He explained that he prefers a Likud-Labor-Shinui "secular national unity government," but is willing to discuss a "fall-back position" that includes the NRP.
United Torah Judaism representatives expressed great dismay at the understandings reached, with Likud agreement, between the NRP and Shinui. MK Rabbi Meir Porush stated he was "shocked and saddened" to see that the Likud was turning its back on its long-time coalition partners, the traditional and Orthodox communities. UTJ had expressed its opposition to any compromises on issues brought up in the NRP-Shinui talks.
Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef also expressed criticism over the National Religious Party's agreeing to join a coalition with the anti-religious Shinui Party. Rabbi Yosef accused the NRP of "abandoning Jewish values." The NRP rebuffed the claims. Rabbi Yosef telephoned NRP spiritual leader Rabbi Avraham Shapira to discuss the pertinent issues.
Meanwhile, in other coalition-construction news, opposition leader Amram Mitzna (Labor) met with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon this morning in the latter's Tel Aviv office. Sharon is continuing efforts towards the inclusion of the Labor party in a national unity coalition government. Persons close to the negotiations report that Labor's inclusion in a coalition at this time is highly unlikely.
The NRP and Shinui are negotiating in order to hammer out compromises that will allow the two parties to sit together in a possible right-center coalition government. The latest meeting was facilitated by former Jerusalem mayor and Likud Knesset Member Ehud Olmert, who signed a written protocol of the points agreed upon by the two sides. These include:
* The revocation of the so-called Tal Law, which formalizes draft deferments for full-time yeshiva students, and provides specific conscription arrangements for that sector. According to the agreement, this must be accomplished within a year, and substitute legislation must be introduced.
* The Large Family Law, which provides additional subsidies to families with many children, will also be abolished. The government will grant equal support to all families.
* The Ministry of Religious Affairs and religious councils will be eliminated as independent bodies, and will instead be included in the Interior Ministry.
In a televised appearance with Tommy Lapid today, Eitam said that he senses an evolution in the position and demeanor of his counterpart to the discussions. Lapid, for his part, did not relate to that point. He explained that he prefers a Likud-Labor-Shinui "secular national unity government," but is willing to discuss a "fall-back position" that includes the NRP.
United Torah Judaism representatives expressed great dismay at the understandings reached, with Likud agreement, between the NRP and Shinui. MK Rabbi Meir Porush stated he was "shocked and saddened" to see that the Likud was turning its back on its long-time coalition partners, the traditional and Orthodox communities. UTJ had expressed its opposition to any compromises on issues brought up in the NRP-Shinui talks.
Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef also expressed criticism over the National Religious Party's agreeing to join a coalition with the anti-religious Shinui Party. Rabbi Yosef accused the NRP of "abandoning Jewish values." The NRP rebuffed the claims. Rabbi Yosef telephoned NRP spiritual leader Rabbi Avraham Shapira to discuss the pertinent issues.
Meanwhile, in other coalition-construction news, opposition leader Amram Mitzna (Labor) met with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon this morning in the latter's Tel Aviv office. Sharon is continuing efforts towards the inclusion of the Labor party in a national unity coalition government. Persons close to the negotiations report that Labor's inclusion in a coalition at this time is highly unlikely.