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Commentary;
Once again, the Shas party, in a position to bring about near- instant elections, instead continues to choose bluster and crocodile tears rather than doing the right and moral thing — leaving the government NOW.
For context on the whole sordid Shas/Jerusalem experience, click here. MB
Shas: Olmert Has No Legal Right to Sign on Jerusalem
Full Text;
Shas party chairman and Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor Eli Yishai warned Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Sunday not to sign off with the Palestinian Authority on a deal to divide Jerusalem.
In an interview on IDF Army Radio, Yishai said, “Olmert cannot reach an agreement in any field, particularly not those concerning Jerusalem.” Although Shas had said it would leave the coalition and topple the government if Jerusalem is put on the negotiating table, the party has remained in the government and Jerusalem has been discussed in ongoing meetings between the negotiating teams.
Olmert is scheduled to meet later in the day with PA Chairman and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas again, in the ongoing effort to reach some type of final status agreement before the end of U.S. President George W. Bush’s term in office, which concludes in January 2009.