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NEWS
MK Gafni Selected for Chief Rabbi Committee
by Eliezer Rauchberger
Although not included in the coalition deal and although the
Likud tried to block his inclusion, MK Rabbi Moshe Gafni was
selected among five MKs chosen during Monday's Knesset plenum
to serve as members of a committee to appoint the new chief
rabbis. The other representatives are Yair Peretz (Shas),
Yitzhak Herzog (Labor), Danny Benlulu (Likud) and Shaul
Yahalom (Mafdal).
At first the Likud formulated a list of four recommendations
from coalition parties, leaving one place for opposition
representative MK Herzog and not honoring requests by United
Torah Jewry and Shas to allow their members to be included as
representatives of religious parties. But later the party
agreed to clear an additional place for an opposition
representative from Shas, and removed Shinui from its
list.
MK Rabbi Gafni also gained the support of many Likud members
who gave him their votes. Eventually he received 62 votes,
ahead of Uri Ariel of Ichud Leumi -- who was nominated by the
government -- who received only 52 votes. At present a time
for the selection of the new chief rabbis has not been set.
In another month both chief rabbis are scheduled to end their
terms in office.
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