Religious Affairs Ministry reestablished

B”H

Now we know why Shas won't pull out of the coalition and destroy this government. They were politically “paid off” by Olmert.

Who cares if we lose Jerusalem and most of Israel as we know it? Not Shas!
Who cares if 100,000 Jews are displaced by 100,000 terrorists? Not Shas!
Who cares if Terrorists are setting up shop across the street from Yeshivot? Not Shas!
Who cares if terrorists are firing missiles into kindergartens? Not Shas!
Who cares if terrorists are murdering young hikers? Not Shas!

What is important to Shas is, as always, that Shas has control of religious affairs! Of course!

Why did I bother writing to them and trying to get them to listen to reason? They aren’t going to listen.

Their ears are turned toward the promise of power, their eyesight is filled with the vision of money.

It’s hard to believe that they can’t focus on what is important, but it is the case.

I guess when their right hand loses it’s skill they will simply continue collecting money with their left.

Disgusting. Disgusting. Disgusting.

M
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JPost.com » Israel » Article
Jan 6, 2008 14:13 | Updated Jan 6, 2008 15:51
By JPOST.COM STAFF
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1198517306375&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

The government approved on Sunday the reestablishment of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, four years after it had been dismantled. Fifteen government members voted for the decision and only six against. Two ministers abstained. Yitzhak Cohen (Shas) will be the new religious affairs minister.

Among those who opposed the decision were Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Welfare Minister Isaac Herzog, Minister Ami Ayalon, Tourism Minister Yitzhak Aharonovich, Strategic Affairs Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann. The Prime Minister's Office rejected claims that establishing the ministry was a 'political tax' the prime minister was paying towards major coalition member Shas.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the ministry will not have the role it had in the past: "[The ministry will be in charge of] the Chief Rabbinate, the rabbinical courts and the Yeshivot. I do not think the prime minister has to sacrifice several hours a week just to sign burial licenses." Minister Cohen had not been put in charge of any portfolio until now.

The ministry was dismantled in October 2003, following pressure from the members of secularist party Shinui, then part of the government. The move was defined a "decisive victory" by them. The departments of the ministry were dispersed between government ministries, and the Burial Authority was established and made part of the Prime Minister's Office. The authority is in charge of the performance of religious councils, developing religious institutions and overseeing burial services.