The National Religious Party Central Committee decided yesterday to quit the government coalition if the Rabbinical Courts crisis is not solved. It thus adopted the party's Knesset faction's recommendation. Prime Minister Sharon and Justice Minister Yosef (Tommy) Lapid of Shinui are discussing the issue today; Sharon is apparently explaining to Lapid that there is no choice but to find a compromise. The crisis was sparked two weeks ago when, at Sharon's behest, the Cabinet voted to transfer the Rabbinical Courts - including the authorization to appoint judges - to the authority of the anti-religious Tommy Lapid.
The NRP's Welfare Minister Zevulun Orlev, speaking with Arutz-7 today, likened Sharon's latest efforts today to the proverbial "1,000 wise men" who must struggle to remove the stone that one fool threw into a well: "I don't think that Sharon really wants a crisis with the NRP and with the Chief Rabbinate, and he has said - including yesterday in the Knesset - that he wants to solve this problem... This is a genuine issue that has ramifications on the most fundamental values regarding the Jewish identity of the State of Israel. I therefore assume that Sharon will use his authority and political clout to solve this problem. I also think that Lapid now realizes the ramifications of the 'grab' that he made..."
Asked about the timetable of the issue, Orlev explained that the only deadline is "January 1, 2004, when the budget is to be approved; the Religious Affairs Ministry will not appear there, so the Rabbinical Courts will have to be budgeted from somewhere, such that a decision must be made by then... The status quo is fine with us, with the Courts under the auspices of the Prime Minister's Office. Our decision to resign the government takes effect only if legislation is passed to transfer them to the Justice Ministry."
Speaking later with Israel Radio, Orlev was asked about his frequent interviews on Arutz-7, "which has now been deemed illegal." Orlev responded that today he was speaking with Arutz-7 internet and not with Arutz-7 radio.
He told Arutz-7, "We have deep bonds with Arutz-7. Its content and approach are 'birds of a feather' with religious-Zionism and with the values in which the NRP believes. I see Arutz-7 as an integral part of the media map in Israel, and as playing a very important role in the spectrum of Israeli opinion. It's no secret that the voice of the religious and right-wing public does not receive its proper share on the other media. I therefore do not think that a judicial ruling or political intentions can silence Arutz-7. It has a huge listening public, and no court can change that. I think that a way must and will be found to authorize Arutz-7's broadcasts. We have to work hard, and I personally will enlist in the effort."
The NRP's Welfare Minister Zevulun Orlev, speaking with Arutz-7 today, likened Sharon's latest efforts today to the proverbial "1,000 wise men" who must struggle to remove the stone that one fool threw into a well: "I don't think that Sharon really wants a crisis with the NRP and with the Chief Rabbinate, and he has said - including yesterday in the Knesset - that he wants to solve this problem... This is a genuine issue that has ramifications on the most fundamental values regarding the Jewish identity of the State of Israel. I therefore assume that Sharon will use his authority and political clout to solve this problem. I also think that Lapid now realizes the ramifications of the 'grab' that he made..."
Asked about the timetable of the issue, Orlev explained that the only deadline is "January 1, 2004, when the budget is to be approved; the Religious Affairs Ministry will not appear there, so the Rabbinical Courts will have to be budgeted from somewhere, such that a decision must be made by then... The status quo is fine with us, with the Courts under the auspices of the Prime Minister's Office. Our decision to resign the government takes effect only if legislation is passed to transfer them to the Justice Ministry."
Speaking later with Israel Radio, Orlev was asked about his frequent interviews on Arutz-7, "which has now been deemed illegal." Orlev responded that today he was speaking with Arutz-7 internet and not with Arutz-7 radio.
He told Arutz-7, "We have deep bonds with Arutz-7. Its content and approach are 'birds of a feather' with religious-Zionism and with the values in which the NRP believes. I see Arutz-7 as an integral part of the media map in Israel, and as playing a very important role in the spectrum of Israeli opinion. It's no secret that the voice of the religious and right-wing public does not receive its proper share on the other media. I therefore do not think that a judicial ruling or political intentions can silence Arutz-7. It has a huge listening public, and no court can change that. I think that a way must and will be found to authorize Arutz-7's broadcasts. We have to work hard, and I personally will enlist in the effort."