Municipal elections are behind us and the camaraderie between Degel Hatorah and Shas is rapidly diminishing as they vie against one another for coalition portfolios. A meeting held on Tuesday between HaRav Baruch Soloveichik and Shas party chairman Minister Aryeh Deri aimed at reaching agreement regarding the division of authority in the Jerusalem administration ended without reports of progress.

The meeting was held in Deri’s Ministerial office at the Ministry of Negev & Galil Development on Kanfei Nesharim Street in the Givat Shaul neighborhood of the capital, Kikar Shabbos News reports.

Rav Soloveitchik reportedly said the Chareidi Education portfolio would return from Shas to Degel Hatorah, and simultaneously, a committee addressing discrimination against Sephardi girls would be established so the matter is not forgotten, as Shas worked hard to eliminate this during the last administration, when it was responsible for the portfolio. The rav felt the formation of the committee would alleviate Shas concerns, while permitting Degel to receive the portfolio once again.

However, Deri was not hearing this and it appears he simply remains unwilling to permit Degel to take the Chareidi Education portfolio, as he promised the party would not give it away and he intends to make good on this campaign promise.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)