Yeshiva World News

There are reports that even if Defense Minister Ehud Barak’s Independence party does not earn enough votes to enter the next Knesset he will be appointed as defense minister again if Binyamin Netanyahu is reelected.

When asked to comment on these reports Barak called them “speculation” and told the media “one should not pay attention to speculation. If voters wish to see me continue as defense minister they must vote for my party”.

Aides to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu commenting on the reports insist the prime minister has not promised anyone any position at present.

Likud voters realize the top candidate from within the party for the post is Minister Moshe Ya’alon, a former IDF chief of staff, who many believed would be defense minister in the current Knesset but Netanyahu had to give it away to pull Barak into the coalition.

In another Barak-related piece of news the defense minister is denying reports from the Chinese media that he flew to Jordan five days ago to meet with PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) and Jordan’s King Abdullah II.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

According to reports released by Kikar Shabbat, Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef Shlita on Monday 29 Tishrei 5773 summoned Shas leader Eli Yishai, offering him a compromise regarding the party leadership slot. On Tuesday it is being reported the rav made up his mind and has decided to bring Aryeh Deri back into the party as the leader, replacing Yishai.

Following the decision, Rebitzen Yehudit Yosef during the night contacted Rav Yishai’s rebitzen, updating her on the rav’s decision and telling her she must prepare for a major change in her husband’s political future. (Rebitzen Yehudit Yosef, a daughter-in-law, is viewed as the powerful woman figure in Shas).

On Tuesday morning, Yishai arrived for shachris as usual, but when photographers tried taking his picture near the rav, a usual event, they were ousted by Rav Chakak on Yishai’s instructions. Police were summoned but their services were not required after the photographers agreed to leave without police intervention. There is speculation that Yishai arrived to fight for his leadership position.

Other chareidi media sources concur, explaining Rav Ovadia realizes that with Deri leading the party Shas may reach 15 seats and without him, Shas will earn about half that number.

An official announcement is expected on Wednesday, the second day Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan 5773.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

The Knesset on Monday, 29 Tishrei 5773 opened the winter session and as was expected, voted to disband in preparation for general elections.

Speakers included President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and opposition leader MK Shaul Mofaz.

The prime minister detailed the accomplishments of his government, making a point of during his seven years in office during his first and second term as prime minister, “there were no wars”, explaining he has succeeded in showing Israel’s enemies that while Israel exercises restraint, it remains strong and maintains a zero tolerance policy to terrorism. He stated that only this strong and determined policy can prevent war, and this is proven by his track record.

Mofaz on the other hand called the prime minister a “coward” and blamed him for not succeeding in achieving any significant accomplishments.

The expected move, approving early elections and dissolving the Knesset took place and the general election is set for January 22, 2012, 11 Shevat 5773.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

In a move that cannot be described as anything short of a political bombshell, Minister of Communications and Social Welfare (Likud) Moshe Kahlon announced he will not be seeking a slot in the next Knesset and plans to step down ahead of the upcoming general election.

Kahlon, who is said to be very close to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu told reporters on Sunday that he told the prime minister when he was elected that this was a one-term stint, and now, “it’s time to move on”. He denied reports that he had a falling out with the prime minister, adding he was pained at unfounded reports of conflict and worse erupting between him and Mr. Netanyahu. He explained he simply has other things to do, and he did not rule out seeking to reenter politics one day in the future.

For Likud, Kahlon’s resignation is a significant loss, for he was quite popular among politicians and voters alike.

MK (Labor) Daniel Ben-Simon told Israel Radio that he is a close colleague with Kahlon and he knows for a fact that the minister is resigning because he can no longer be a part of a government that is crushing the working class, explaining that he objects to the financial policies of the government and has realized he is a lone voice in the party and prefers to step down rather than shoulder the responsibility of decisions that negate his hashkafa. Ben-Simon stated the minister has had a ‘falling out’ with the prime minister — not the result of personal issues but due to the government’s fiscal policies.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Rav Aryeh Deri, who recently announced his decision to run for a slot in the next Knesset, is anxious to receive a ruling from Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef Shlita regarding his place on the Shas roster in the upcoming election.

According to a Yisrael HaYom report, Deri has requested a definitive ruling by the end of the week, at which time he will decide to run on the Shas slate or independent of his former party.

On erev shabbos, Deri met with HaRav Shimon Badani, a member of Shas’ Council of Torah Sages, telling the rav “I am not looking to create machlokes”, confirming reports that he is giving serious consideration to running under his own party.

One must remember that Deri is looking to be at the helm and not take a backseat to Shas leader Eli Yishai. At the age of 24, Deri was the minister of the interior, becoming the youngest cabinet minister in the nation’s history.

Polls are now showing that Deri running on his own would earn at least 6-7 seats, while Shas would barely bring in 10. Shas with Deri on board is more likely to earn 14+ seats.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

There is an audible silence among the champions of democracy and liberalism in Israel regarding Aryeh Deri’s recent decision and announcement to run in the upcoming elections for a slot in Knesset.

While Deri was convicted of while collar crimes which carried a moral turpitude conviction, he served his time and the mandatory seven-year period has passed following his release, so by all accounts, the law says he may run and if elected and serve in Knesset or as a cabinet minister.

Nevertheless, aware of Deri’s non-waning popularity, many left-wing secular politicians and notables have been outspoken advocates of amending the law, explaining even if one has paid one’s debt to society; a former con should not be in Knesset and most certainly not serve as a cabinet minister.

With the recent conviction, albeit on limited counts of former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, and the ongoing Holyland real estate trial against him, many are urging him to return to the political arena and run in the upcoming general election. While Olmert was cleared of most charges against him, he does have some convictions, and he still faces the outcome of the Holyland trial.

The liberals are in a quandary and while they contemplate their next move, have opted to lower the flames of heartfelt shouts to amend the law, the law that would now not only bar Deri, but Olmert too.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

It has been about 13 years since Shas leader Eli Yishai and his predecessor Aryeh Deri shook hands, and party officials were not about to let such an event pass as the two meet in Har Nof today, a meeting that was compelled by the upcoming general elections.

The handshake occurred during the bris of a great grandchild of Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef Shlita. Rav Ovadia was sandek and the child was named in his honor.

It is clear that if Shas is to have a chance in the upcoming election, set for 11 Shevat 5773 (January 22, 2013), the party will have to placate Deri for if the latter opts to run on his own slate or team up with others, the results for Shas will be disastrous according to the polls, which signal Deri on his own can earn a minimum of ten seats, many of which will be at the expense of Shas’ representation in the next Knesset.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

State Prosecutor Yehuda Weinstein is under enormous pressure to decide what action is to be taken in the ongoing case surrounding investigations against Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who allegedly is guilty of accepting bribes and engaging in money laundering.

With general elections rapidly approaching, expected to be held near the end of January 2013, the ongoing investigation against Lieberman is once again in the news. Amazingly, this will mark the fourth election in which Lieberman remains under investigation, in the same case, which for one reason or another does not lead to an indictment and is not closed.

While officials in Weinstein’s office are signaling there is sufficient evidence against the Yisrael Beitenu party leader to file a multi-count indictment, such a move has not been taken. Lieberman on several occasions has proclaimed his innocence and has called on Weinstein to indict him or close the case, stating it is preposterous to permit an investigation to drag for so many years. From Lieberman’s perspective the dragging investigation is nothing more than an effort to place a stumbling block in his political career by his opponents who are alarmed by his growing popularity and political success.

Weinstein has signaled that a decision is imminent, indicating an indictment is likely to be filed against the senior cabinet minister ahead of the upcoming general election.

The tentative date being reported for the general election is January 22, 2013.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Yehuda Avidan, a close confidant to Shas leader Deputy Prime Minister Eli Yishai told Israel Radio on Sunday morning 28 Tishrei 5773 that Yishai remains the undisputed leader of the party and he will remain the party leader in the upcoming general election.

What prompted the interview with Avidan are recent events surrounding the decision to move general elections to the beginning of 2013, as well as the announcement from former Shas leader Rav Aryeh Deri to return to the political arena, either under the Shas banner or running independently, possibly as the head of a new party.

The speculation surrounding the Deri declaration of about a week ago has resulted in a wave of predictions from the analysts, all aware of two basic points; (1) Yishai will remain in the number one position on the Shas roster and (2) Deri running outside of the Shas framework would deliver a significant blow to the party.

On motzei shabbos the eve of 28 Tishrei 5773, Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef Shlita disappointed the secular media, hoping for a statement regarding Deri’s position in Shas in the upcoming elections. The rav ignored the topic totally.

In a non-Deri related issue the rav did address the practice seen commonly among chassidim, wearing one’s tzizis above one’s shirt. In his drasha, Rav Yosef addressed “Ashkenazi chareidim” who wear their tzizis this way, stating “Their rabbonim should be embarrassed” of the practice the rav stated, adding “They are not acting in accordance with the din, not acting properly…”.

Israel Radio analysts believe efforts in Shas continue to persuade Deri to accept the second slot with the realization this will result in his taking a senior cabinet post. Analysts are divided as Deri’s response since Deri is aware that if he runs on his own he will earn over 10 seats according to all polls. That said, there is the problem of Rav Deri defying his rav, Maran Rav Ovadia, and this lends to many believing Deri will accept a senior slot in Shas under a Yishai leadership reality.

Nitzan Chen, a veteran journalist who has devoted a significant portion of his professional career following the Shas party and its leaders added that he concurs, and the “elderly Rabbi Yosef is not about to oust Yishai at this point, with the latter quite pleased with his performance in the leadership position”.

Chen is also the head of the Israel Government Press Office and has written a biography entitled “Maran Rav Ovadia Yosef”.

The rav’s drasha was shorter than usual. It is reported he was feeling under the weather.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)