United Torah Judaism’s way into Binyomin Netanyahu’s government was paved yesterday after a meeting at the home of Maran Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv in Meah Shearim. Rav Elyashiv approved the compromise on the issue of conversion and gave the MKs the green light to sign a coalition agreement with the Likud. One of the UTJ members may be appointed deputy health minister, and another will likely head the Knesset Finance Committee. “The issues have not been resolved entirely, but certain progress was made during the meeting with Rav Elyashiv ahead of the continued negotiations with Likud,” a UTJ member said.
The coalition talks between UTJ and Likud were slowed down after UTJ expressed its opposition to the understandings reached between Likud, Yisrael Beiteinu and Shas regarding civil marriage and conversion.
A special rabbinical committee ruled that UTJ could be more flexible on civil marriage, but Rav Elyashiv declared that Shas’ compromise regarding the issue of conversion was unacceptable.
{Yair Alpert-Matzav.com Israel/Ynet}
