Speaking with Kol Berama Radio�s Moti Lavi on Thursday, 8 Shevat 5774, Shas MK Eli Yishai confirmed that he has been meeting with Finance Minister Yair Lapid, a move that is supported by rabbonim. He explains that to the best of his knowledge he is the only chareidi MK doing so and HaGaon HaRav Shimon Ba�adani Shlita; a member of the Moetzas Gedolei Yisrael has instructed him meet with Lapid. �It is very important to meet with Finance Minister Lapid to get what we can� Yishai stated.

Yishai used the media interview to take a stab at party leader MK Aryeh Deri and his followers, but without mentioning names. He spoke of his colleague MK Nissim Ze�ev, who Yishai credits with establishing the party over 30 years ago, not Deri, once again without mentioning the current party leader by name.

�I have been in Shas since the day it was founded. From that day on which Rav Nissim Ze�ev started the party� he explained, stating how Ze�ev approached Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef ZT�L and received the green light to move forward.

When asked if he sees a day in the future when he will once again stand at the helm of the party, he responded indirectly. He explained his yearning is to continue being a shaliach for Am Yisrael for as long as the Moetzas Gedolei Hatorah wishes to have him serve in this capacity to follow in the derech of Maran ZT�L.

(YWN � Israel Desk, Jerusalem)