"I believe that just as the referendum passed the Committee today," MK Hendel told Arutz-7 today, "it will also pass in the Knesset next week - but I just need one thing: that Am Yisrael (the People of Yisrael) should come to the two-day silent mass continuous demonstration outside the Knesset next week. We will show the government that, contrary to the impression of public support for the disengagement, the true story is that only 10,000 people came out in favor of it in Tel Aviv, while myriads will show up on Monday."
The mass demonstration is being organized along the lines of the recent protest in Kiev, in which hundreds of thousands stood outside for days to protest false election results. It is set to begin Monday, at 10 AM. "The vote on the referendum certainly won't be before 8 PM," Hendel said.
MK Hendel met yesterday for an hour with Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef in an attempt to show him the importance of voting in favor of a referendum. "Together with us were MK Eli Yishai and Rabbi Shmuel Tal [head of the Torat HaChaim Yeshiva in N'vei Dekalim]," Hendel said. "Rabbi Yosef, who is truly a tzaddik [righteous person[ and a Torah genius, asked many questions. He asked about pikuach nefesh (danger to life), as well as whether this will increase the chance for new elections or not... The conclusion was that he would continue to deliberate; today, when he saw that MK Ravitz was voting in favor of it and that the issue would pass in any event, this solved his problem and allowed him to push off the final decision until next week."
Hendel said that he hopes to meet with Rabbi Yosef again before the Knesset vote.
It is known that Rabbi Yosef's main concern is that a referendum could be held in the future on issues such as yeshiva students' army deferrals. MK Hendel said that they discussed that as well: "We explained to him that if a law governing referenda is passed, the situation will be better, not worse, than it is now. Because at present, a chance majority of even 4 MKs against 2 can vote to end yeshiva students' deferrals – whereas a law on referenda would mandate a genuine Knesset majority on such fundamental issues."
Hendel said he has no illusions that the budget will be defeated and thus topple the government: "No one should be upset if the budget passes, because it will. There is no question about that. They can always find another Arab MK or Shinui or whatever to help them pass it. Our main escape hatch is the referendum vote. As soon as the MKs see the public enthusiasm – as opposed to the small 10,000-crowd that showed up to support the disengagement – this will hopefully get them to vote in accordance with the public will."
The mass demonstration is being organized along the lines of the recent protest in Kiev, in which hundreds of thousands stood outside for days to protest false election results. It is set to begin Monday, at 10 AM. "The vote on the referendum certainly won't be before 8 PM," Hendel said.
MK Hendel met yesterday for an hour with Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef in an attempt to show him the importance of voting in favor of a referendum. "Together with us were MK Eli Yishai and Rabbi Shmuel Tal [head of the Torat HaChaim Yeshiva in N'vei Dekalim]," Hendel said. "Rabbi Yosef, who is truly a tzaddik [righteous person[ and a Torah genius, asked many questions. He asked about pikuach nefesh (danger to life), as well as whether this will increase the chance for new elections or not... The conclusion was that he would continue to deliberate; today, when he saw that MK Ravitz was voting in favor of it and that the issue would pass in any event, this solved his problem and allowed him to push off the final decision until next week."
Hendel said that he hopes to meet with Rabbi Yosef again before the Knesset vote.
It is known that Rabbi Yosef's main concern is that a referendum could be held in the future on issues such as yeshiva students' army deferrals. MK Hendel said that they discussed that as well: "We explained to him that if a law governing referenda is passed, the situation will be better, not worse, than it is now. Because at present, a chance majority of even 4 MKs against 2 can vote to end yeshiva students' deferrals – whereas a law on referenda would mandate a genuine Knesset majority on such fundamental issues."
Hendel said he has no illusions that the budget will be defeated and thus topple the government: "No one should be upset if the budget passes, because it will. There is no question about that. They can always find another Arab MK or Shinui or whatever to help them pass it. Our main escape hatch is the referendum vote. As soon as the MKs see the public enthusiasm – as opposed to the small 10,000-crowd that showed up to support the disengagement – this will hopefully get them to vote in accordance with the public will."