Pressure on Shas to Leave Government Builds

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For context, click here for recent blog posts about Jerusalem division and Shas’ non-reaction to it. MB

‘Build in Betar Illit or Leave Government’, by Matthew Wagner (Jerusalem Post)

Excerpts;

United Torah Judaism’s six MKs, who were joined by settlement leaders such as mayor of Ma’aleh Adumim and former head of the Council of Jewish Communities in Judea, Samaria, and the Gaza Strip Benny Kashriel, called on Shas, the Sephardi haredi coalition member, to issue an ultimatum: lift the freeze on building in the Gush Etzion settlement or leave the government. read more

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Rice Notes Time-Change, Concerned About Shabbat Landing Jeopardizing Olmert

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Commentary;

Condoleezza Rice is very concerned that Ehud Olmert, Tzipy Livni and the rest of their lackies not have their continuance in power jeopardized by a possible Shas departure from the regime which could result from Rice’s plane landing in Israel during Shabbat.

And once again, the Jerusalem Post has registered with dreadfully poor, rank amateurish literary journalism.

A proper writing of the first paragraph of this report would read in one of the following ways;

  • “US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has agreed on Friday to postpone her landing in Tel Aviv by one hour and a half in order not to land during Shabbat.”
  • “US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has agreed to postpone her Saturday landing in Tel Aviv by one hour and a half in order not to land during Shabbat.”

MB

Rice Delays Landing in Israel Because of Shabbat read more

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From the Horse’s Mouth: Livni: Jerusalem on the Table

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Commentary;

One must question whether this report is even eligible for posting on this blog as it is axiomatic that the Olmert regime has been dividing Jerusalem since prior to day 1 of Annapolis.

But perhaps, this short report is notable for the very reason stated above. Further, it keeps us focused on the FACTS that Shas knowingly remains in a government which, by it’s active role in dividing Jerusalem, signifies that it actively craves the division and eradication of Jewishness from Israelis. In the end, unless Shas leaves the government, it will eventually fulfill its own self-fulfilling prophesy, as noted by Dr Aaron Lerner of IMRA, whereby “for ‘pikuach nefesh’ (life endangering situation) Israel has to cut a deal on Jerusalem at all costs.” read more

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What Good are Motions of “Building” While Dividing Jerusalem?

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Commentary;

This question begs asking regarding Shas’ ‘Kidmat Tzion’ Project near the Old City, in an area surrounded by Arabs as well as about the Givat Ze’ev project. Will these projects see fruition or be another rubber check by Olmert to Shas while the division of Jerusalem goes on, impervious to Shas? MB

Shas Plans for ‘Kidmat Tzion’ Project

Full Text;

Minister of Industry, Trade, and Labor Eli Yishai, the chairman of Shas, said Tuesday that his party would back a major construction project in the Kidmat Tzion neighborhood of Jerusalem. Kidmat Tzion is a Jewish-owned area near the Old City surrounded by Arab neighborhoods. read more

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Will Olmert Regime Back Down on Givat Ze’ev, Stiff Shas?

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Commentary;

There is a type of “convergence” of several major stories of this time into one;

Olmert, facing pressure from “the nations” coupled with self-hatred for Jewishness and overwhelming lust for perpetuation of his prime ministerial power, will back down on Givat Ze’ev just as sure as he backed down on mounting a credible invasion of Gaza, just as he backed down on connecting Ma’alei Adumim to Jerusalem, just as he invaded Lebanon hodge-podge, not to win, in July 2006. read more

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Yishai Promised Olmert NOT to Leave Over Jerusalem Talks

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Commentary;

If Shas thinks that they made a deal of any kind at any level with Ehud Olmert — they need to think again. The community of Givat Ze’ev [a decision and “promise” easily reversed], the NIS 450 million to [Shas] yeshivas, the bill enabling municipalities to transfer funding to Shas schools and more will never materialize.

Even Meretz MK Haim Oron termed Olmert’s “promises” to Shas “hot air.” While Shas thinks that they have won great, unprecendented victories, the final result will be empty; that Shas will be left holding a slew of rubber checks while they will have facilitated the division of Jerusalem and grievous damage to Israel, by their continued presence in an evil, immoral, anti-Jewish government. MB read more

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Shas Stays in Coalition: ALL About the Money, Or Nepotism???

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Commentary;

Below are three real short reports, which speak volumes. Will Shas ever see a silver shekel of NIS 475m? Or will their just reward be that it bounces as high as the funds which Gimmel never got for being in the Expulsion coalition? Do they perceive themselves as on a power trip? Does nepotism trump defense of Jerusalem? MB

Knesset [Committee] Approves Transfer of NIS 475m. to Shas’s Torah Institutions

Full Text;

“The Knesset Finance Committee on Wednesday approved the transfer of NIS 475 million to Shas’s Torah institutions. read more

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Shas: Internet Law While Jerusalem Gets Carved

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Commentary;

While Olmert, Livni, Abbas and Qurei carve up Jerusalem daily and excise our very heart, the Shas politicians are more concerned about their pet projects. How is it they focus on what you see on the internet while whaffling TOTALLY about Jerusalem?

Dr. Aaron Lerner of IMRA (Independent Media Research and Analysis) wrote this 5 weeks ago about Shas and Jerusalem. It is worth re-reading;

Considering that the negotiations are taking place in secret it is hardly clear if Shas will actually know when Jerusalem is the subject of negotiations. But even if taken at face value the approach makes absolutely no sense. And the absence of logic should most certainly be clear to negotiating masters like Yishai. read more

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Another Group of Politicians’ Lame Balks About Jerusalem Divide

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Commentary;

This blog cautions against undue optimism regarding these 11 Kadima MKs and their faction meeting of yesterday. Don’t expect them to be any more serious about their so-called “red lines,” Kadima’s platform and a united Jerusalem under Jewish control, than Shas has been about theirs [If they start talking about, no make that continue to talk about dividing Jerusalem…]. Israel’s political, governmental leaders — it’s all about enhancement of personal power, spoils and self-aggrandizement, while blantantly ignoring the nation’s security and well-being. MB read more

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Parsha Vayakhel 5768: Betzalel, Hur and Their Modern-day Sequels

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by, Moshe Burt

Our Parsha Vayakhel discusses the appointment and role of Betzalel ben Uri, ben Hur in the building of the Mishkan.

The question is asked; why does Torah mention Betzalel’s lineage here?

This author discussed Betzalel in the context of Parsha Mishpatim our question of Yithro’s meriting to pronounce the concept of a Judiciary system to Moshe.

Betzalel, a Jew-from-birth, was instilled with the ability and insight to build the Mishkan.

After all, we learn Hashem imparted to Betzalel ben Uri the insight and ability to build the Mishkan. We learn that Betzalel was the grandson of Hur who was the son of Calev and that the Malchut was promised to Miriam — Moshe’s sister and Calev’s wife. Just as we learn that later the Malchut, under Dovid and Shlomo, built the Beit HaMikdash, so too Betzalel’s building of the Mishkan seems the fulfillment of the Divine promise to Miriam. read more