"The only way to preserve Jewish identity is to do so via the Halakhah
[Jewish Law], as we have done until now," said Ex-Interior Minister Eli
Yeshai of Shas. His successor, Interior Minister Avraham Poraz of Shinui,
responded, "With all due respect to Halakhah, and I do not denigrate it,
the universal values of love of man and equality, which incidentally are
guaranteed in the Declaration of Independence, are those which have to
guide us."
Arutz-7's Haggai Segal, noting the exchange of barbs when Yeshai handed
over the Interior Minister reins to Poraz yesterday, commented, "The
coalition guidelines promise that the government will act on behalf of
unity in the nation and will 'bring the hearts closer' among all parts of
the nation. They also say that the government will maintain the Jewish
character of the State and Jewish tradition. But it appears, after one day
of the new government, that there is no unity and no Jewish character. The
Shinui ministers say they want to carry out a secular revolution, including
civil marriages and the removal of restrictions on the sale of pig meat."
Segal said that the NRP is a bit "perplexed at the developments, but is
confident that everything will work out in the end." He quoted NRP leader
Effie Eitam at the party's Central Committee gathering yesterday, rebuffing
criticism from the hareidi sector: "Let me remove all doubt: The National
*Religious* Party did not touch, and will never touch, the slightest tip of
a letter of our holy Torah! Whoever says the opposite, we can tell him
confidently, 'Desist! For you are spreading lies.'"
[Jewish Law], as we have done until now," said Ex-Interior Minister Eli
Yeshai of Shas. His successor, Interior Minister Avraham Poraz of Shinui,
responded, "With all due respect to Halakhah, and I do not denigrate it,
the universal values of love of man and equality, which incidentally are
guaranteed in the Declaration of Independence, are those which have to
guide us."
Arutz-7's Haggai Segal, noting the exchange of barbs when Yeshai handed
over the Interior Minister reins to Poraz yesterday, commented, "The
coalition guidelines promise that the government will act on behalf of
unity in the nation and will 'bring the hearts closer' among all parts of
the nation. They also say that the government will maintain the Jewish
character of the State and Jewish tradition. But it appears, after one day
of the new government, that there is no unity and no Jewish character. The
Shinui ministers say they want to carry out a secular revolution, including
civil marriages and the removal of restrictions on the sale of pig meat."
Segal said that the NRP is a bit "perplexed at the developments, but is
confident that everything will work out in the end." He quoted NRP leader
Effie Eitam at the party's Central Committee gathering yesterday, rebuffing
criticism from the hareidi sector: "Let me remove all doubt: The National
*Religious* Party did not touch, and will never touch, the slightest tip of
a letter of our holy Torah! Whoever says the opposite, we can tell him
confidently, 'Desist! For you are spreading lies.'"