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NEWS
Government Refuses to Include Talmudei Torah in Hot Lunch
Program
By Eliezer Rauchberger
It seems that Shinui's influence on the government still
remains. At a joint meeting of the Finance and Education
Committees on Monday, representatives from the Prime
Minister's Office announced that they are opposed to
including talmud Torah students in the hot-lunch
program, arguing that the government cannot be expected to
provide meals for private institutions in the extended-day
program.
Following earlier strident protests by United Torah Jewry and
Shas MKs, government representatives promised to reassess the
matter, but Monday the government resolutely refused to
change its decision.
Chareidi representatives protested the government's position
on Monday. MK Rabbi Moshe Gafni said the sole criterion for
including students in the hot-lunch program should be the
family's socioeconomic level, and the student's religious
background should have no bearing whatsoever. Meshulam Nahari
(Shas) and representatives from social organizations backed
his contentions, but Prime Minister's Office representatives
stood firm.
Heads of local authorities, who also participated in Monday's
meeting, claimed funding for the hot lunch program should not
fall on their shoulders since the local authorities are
already overburdened.
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