After hearing Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz's reasons for supporting the plan to remove 25 Jewish communities, Rabbi Yosef said he will meet with the Likud opponents to the plan. This was Minister Mofaz and Rabbi Yosef's second meeting within the past week.
Speaking from his home, where he and Shas party chairman Eli Yishai spoke with Mofaz, the rabbi surprised the defense minister with his knowledgeable and detailed questions concerning the planned evacuation.
Mofaz showed Rabbi Yosef detailed maps of the northern Samaria and Gush Katif and described his theory that terror will not increase after evacuating the Jewish communities. He linked success of the plan with completion of the security fence in Judea and Samaria.
"Why can't you convince Gush Katif residents?" the rabbi asked Mofaz, who replied that the issue is especially sensitive because "there are third generation families who will have to leave their homes."
Rabbi Yosef in the past has supported surrendering land, but only as part of a mutual agreement. Sharon's plan is unilateral. The Prime Minister is hoping that Shas' eleven Knesset members will lend their support or at least abstain from the vote next week on the first reading of the disengagement bill.
Rabbi Yosef will meet tonight with Likud Minister Uzi Landau, who leads the anti-Sharon faction, and Major General (res.) Yaakov Amidror.
Speaking from his home, where he and Shas party chairman Eli Yishai spoke with Mofaz, the rabbi surprised the defense minister with his knowledgeable and detailed questions concerning the planned evacuation.
Mofaz showed Rabbi Yosef detailed maps of the northern Samaria and Gush Katif and described his theory that terror will not increase after evacuating the Jewish communities. He linked success of the plan with completion of the security fence in Judea and Samaria.
"Why can't you convince Gush Katif residents?" the rabbi asked Mofaz, who replied that the issue is especially sensitive because "there are third generation families who will have to leave their homes."
Rabbi Yosef in the past has supported surrendering land, but only as part of a mutual agreement. Sharon's plan is unilateral. The Prime Minister is hoping that Shas' eleven Knesset members will lend their support or at least abstain from the vote next week on the first reading of the disengagement bill.
Rabbi Yosef will meet tonight with Likud Minister Uzi Landau, who leads the anti-Sharon faction, and Major General (res.) Yaakov Amidror.