With the looming crisis surrounding the Draft Law continues, Shas and Degel Hatorah have increased cooperation and are working tenaciously to find a solution. Agudas Yisrael for the time being remains alone, awaiting a meeting and decision of its Moetzas Gedolei Yisrael.

Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri continues meeting with Degel Hatorah Chairman Moshe Gafne, hoping to save the current coalition and avoid going to early elections over Agudah’s insistence on rejecting the law outright, unwilling to work with the others and amending the objectionable clauses. Both Gafne and Deri have stated on numerous occasions they feel heading to early elections would be a mistake. Interestingly, Yaakov Litzman, of the Agudas Yisrael faction agrees, admitting he too does not want early elections, pointing out he is however bound to adhere to the instructions of the Torah Council.

In recent days, the rabbonim of both factions have increased their roles in the hope of founding a solution and preventing the breakup of the coalition government. In the meantime, all await the convening of the Moetzas Gedolei Torah of Agudas Yisrael, hoping the Admorim Shlita will show flexibility and change their position.

Kikar Shabbos News adds that Chacham HaGaon HaRav Shlomo Cohen, head of the Moetzas Chachmei HaTorah of Shas, in the coming days is expected to meet with the Gerrer Rebbe to explain the ramifications of going to early elections to the rebbe.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)