The secular revolution of Barak was officially frozen on
Monday, the first of Cheshvan, as a result of an agreement
between One Israel and Shas. The latter agreed to support
Prime Minister Ehud Barak's government from outside the
coalition for a period of four weeks. It was also agreed that
the Religious Affairs Ministry will continue to function as
it has until now.
At the meeting of the heads of Shas, Eli Yishai and Rafael
Pinchasi, with ministers Raanan Cohen and Yossi Beilin, it
was agreed that Shas would extend a safety net to Barak for
four weeks due to the political and security emergency
situation in the country. Shas promised not to support no
confidence proposals against the Prime Minister during this
period nor to support a law to advance the elections and
disperse the Knesset. However, the package included no
commitment to back the budget, a critical issue in the coming
weeks. It was also agreed that a representative of Shas be
included in the political security forum for decision
making.
It was also agreed that the Education Ministry will finally
implement a recovery program for Shas's educational network,
transferring some NIS 20 million to Ma'ayan Hahinuch
Hatorani. This has been agreed in the past, but so far has
not been implemented.
The agreement between Shas and One Israel states: "The status
quo on issues of religion and state, including issues
involving the drafting of yeshiva students, will be
preserved." It also says: "No change in the status quo will
be implemented, including changes stemming from the civil
reform and structural changes which have already begun to
take place. The dismantling of the Religious Affairs Ministry
will be canceled."
Ehud Barak was very pleased with the security network which
Shas extended him, and said that efforts to establish an
emergency government (with Likud) will continue along with
the safety net, with the consent of Shas. Barak already made
efforts to broaden his margin by initiating talks with Meretz
leader Yossi Sarid and head of Shinui Yosef Lapid. Barak said
that the Shas agreement is a very important and noteworthy
measure, which takes the national interests into
consideration.
For the past several weeks, intensive talks have been held
between Barak and Likud leader Ariel Sharon about forming a
"unity" government. The talks were complicated by the fact
that both Sharon and Barak had to consider the possibility of
former prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who left politics
after his defeat in May, 1999, to the political arena.
Shas' chairman Eli Yishai said that Shas is not joining the
government and has no demands from the government. Its only
desire is to work toward the canceling the secular revolution
which threatened Israel. Shas spokesmen said that the party
still prefers that elections be held as soon as possible,
since it is clear that Barak does not have a working
government.
On Wednesday (3 Cheshvan) the special committee for the
preparation of the law to defer the drafting of yeshiva
students is scheduled to convene in order to advance the law
to its second and third readings.
