Welfare Minister Zevulun Orlev advised Prime Minister Sharon today to replace the Shinui party in the coalition with Labor. He said that Labor would be a much more "comfortable" partner, as it does not have a party platform based on hatred for religious Jews. Shinui leader Tommy Lapid responded that it is the NRP that needs the coalition, and not vice-versa. Shinui in fact has 15 Knesset seats, and the NRP only 6 - but Sharon needs both, in order to balance each other.
The NRP ministers raised a proposal today according to which the Religious Affairs Ministry will be dismantled, the number of local religious councils will be reduced from 130 to 15, and government provision of religious services will be anchored in law. Special legislation will be required in order to reduce the number of local religious councils.
Responsibility for the dismantling of the Religious Affairs Ministry, which is the focus of the dispute between the two antagonist parties, will pass to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. He announced the decision today after meeting with an NRP team. The special ministerial team originally appointed for the purpose, headed by Trade Minister Ehud Olmert, will be dismantled. Sharon has also accepted the demand of Religious Affairs Deputy Minister Rabbi Yitzchak Levy (NRP) that the dismantling be coordinated with the country's Chief Rabbis Amar and Metzger.
The NRP ministers raised a proposal today according to which the Religious Affairs Ministry will be dismantled, the number of local religious councils will be reduced from 130 to 15, and government provision of religious services will be anchored in law. Special legislation will be required in order to reduce the number of local religious councils.
Responsibility for the dismantling of the Religious Affairs Ministry, which is the focus of the dispute between the two antagonist parties, will pass to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. He announced the decision today after meeting with an NRP team. The special ministerial team originally appointed for the purpose, headed by Trade Minister Ehud Olmert, will be dismantled. Sharon has also accepted the demand of Religious Affairs Deputy Minister Rabbi Yitzchak Levy (NRP) that the dismantling be coordinated with the country's Chief Rabbis Amar and Metzger.