After about two hours, the meeting ended between Jerusalem Chief Sephardic Rabbi HaGaon HaRav Shlomo Moshe Amar and the head of the Yachad party, Eli Yishai, arriving with Tzvi Amar at his side, one of the owners of Kol Berama Radio.

Rav Amar’s mission was one of achdus, to bring Yishai back to the mainstream Sephardic camp and to end the split between Shas and Yachad.

Yishai reportedly had instructions from his spiritual leader, HaGaon HaRav Meir Mazuz, Rosh Yeshivat Kisei Rachamim, who indicated Yachad will return to Shas if the latter is willing to accept the ‘ritz ratch’ system for the party lineup – meaning they would alternate on the list between Shas and Yachad candidates.

After hours of discussion, it became increasingly apparent that the machlokes between Yishai and Shas leader Aryeh Deri remains, and the two are far from ready to work with one-another.

Another idea being entertained is that all the rabbonim sign a letter of achdus, stating that all the machlokes has been put behind and there is not unity. They hope such a declaration would permit each person to follow his rov, and end the separation that exists on radio and in the streets before the next Knesset elections.

Reports that Deri offered Yishai a cabinet post on condition he shut down his Yachad party are denied by both Deri and Yishai.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)