In recent months, secret contacts have taken place between the upper echelons of the Israeli government and Rabbi Yitzchak Shapiro as a representative of the Gerer Rebbe. The deal that was put on the table? The government will stop anti-chareidi legislation, while the chareidi MKs will give the government “peace in the Knesset” for six months, according to Israel’s Channel 10.
According to a report by senior political commentator Amit Segal on News 12, meetings were held between Yesh Atid chairman Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and Rabbi Shapiro.
The contacts began with a conversation that Rabbi Shapiro had with President Yitzchak Herzog, according to Channel 10. Rabbi Shapiro raised the issue that bothers the Rebbe the most – the “kosher telephone reform,” which is being promoted in the Ministry of Communications by Minister Yoaz Hendel.
The proposal that came up was the freezing of anti-chareidi legislation in the Knesset, most notably the legislation to reform “kosher phones,” and in return, the coalition will receive half a year of silence. In practice, this means that the chareidi parties will abstain from “unimportant” votes, and even directly support “important” votes.
During the talks, it was agreed that if PM Naftoli Bennett and Lapid support the move, it will be implemented.
Amit Segal reports that for the time being, the talks ended without an agreement, partly due to the Knesset going on vacation, and also due to the demand of several rabbonim for a month without anti-chareidi statements in the coalition.
We now have to wait and see if the meetings will resume in the next Knesset session during the summer.
Another important question is whether the person who is considered the main political rival of the chareidim, Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman, was even aware of the talks and whether he gave his consent.
Shas chairman Aryeh Deri told his associates: “They contacted me [about these meetings] a few weeks ago, and I rejected them outright – and so did [MK Moshe] Gafni, because we are determined to overthrow this evil government. As for Agudas Yisroel, they will have to explain it for themselves.”
{Matzav.com Israel}
Rabbi Deri, overthrowing the government is not that simple….
If they were secret talks, I’m not sure why it’s on a public website….
It rings some sort of resemblance to The U.S./ Iran deal. Can they be trusted? For some, Iran can be trusted!
Okay. The line in the sand has been drawn.
Just move to Monsey and Ferteg shoin. Yidden kumt aheim. You might get six days in space but when you return it’s the same old place.