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Last update - 00:48 30/10/2008
Netanyahu rebuffs Shas bid to control Education Ministry
By Haaretz Service
Tags: Israel News, Education, Shas

Associates of opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that the idea of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party taking over the education portfolio in next coalition government would be a "nightmare."

Shas Chairman Eli Yishai earlier Wednesday told Army Radio that the party woulf demand the education portfolio in order to ensure an increase in the state's Jewish curriculum.

Netanyahu's aides said following the announcement that should Likud be charged with forming the next government, it would hold onto the Education Ministry. They added that the possibility of the portfolio being given to Yishai "simply does not exist."
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In the interview with Army Radio, Yishai rejected accusations that the current government was headed to dissolution of because of Shas' refusal to join a coalition led by Kadima Chairwoman Tzipi Livni.

"It wasn't us that dismantled the government, but Kadima that could have put together a coalition without us," Yishai said.

Yishai said that Shas had stood firm during negotiations in its demand that Jerusalem should not be divided. He added that if his party would have given up its demands, it would have been a blow to the voting public.

MK Avshalom Vilan (Meretz) said Yishai's demand for the education ministry would be the equivalent of establishing a state based on halakha [Jewish Law] in Israel.

"Before Yishai sews for himself the suit of education minister, it would be good if he worried about the core issues in the Haredi schools, and maybe then he would prove the seriousness of his intentions," Vilan said.

Speaking at a special session of the Knesset to commemorate seven years since the murder of former government minister Rehavam Zee'vi, Netanyahu said that Likud would hold onto the education portfolio "in order to deal with the major challenges facing us".

"The love and appreciation for the IDF are a founding layer in the values of the State of Israel and in the education of values that Gandhi [Ze'evi] believed so much in," Netanyahu said.

"This education will be a central component in the education revolution that we are preparing to bring in the near future, which will include lessons on Israel's heritage along with lessons in science, mathematics and computers."

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      1.   Shas brainwashing children now are they? 13:41  |  avi 29/10/08
      2.   As bad as Peretz taking over the Defense ministry 14:06  |  x-ray 29/10/08
      3.   Shas and Education Ministry 14:11  |  RS 29/10/08
      4.   Shas and Education Ministry 14:17  |  RS 29/10/08
      5.   Just Maybe? 14:54  |  Allan 29/10/08
      6.   #2 Peretz was the reflection of Mofaz 6 years failure 14:58  |  Simon 29/10/08
      7.   What Is Education? 14:58  |  Yaakov Sullivan 29/10/08
      8.   # 3 RS and not forgetting 15:11  |  SJ 29/10/08
      9.   Find a way to govern WITHOUT Shas at all 15:28  |  Tova M. 29/10/08
      10.   Find a way to govern WITHOUT Shas at all 15:30  |  Tova M. 29/10/08
      11.   Good to keep politics out of education 16:30  |  Ilan 29/10/08
      12.   IF THE ELECTORATE WAKE UP 18:01  |  victor hardman 29/10/08
      13.   #10 18:08  |  R 29/10/08
      14.   Bibi when the dream is in your hand .. 18:58  |  Akram Zekaria 29/10/08
      15.   Tamir is disgusting 18:59  |  fred 29/10/08
      16.   Shas are so greedy!! 19:46  |  Israeli 29/10/08
      17.   ridiculous 20:20  |  JDR 29/10/08
      18.   `Ministry of Jerusalem` that is what Shas needs to have.. 20:21  |  Akram Zekaria 29/10/08
      19.   To #15 Fred in Holon 20:21  |  B`Galil 29/10/08
      20.   Simon 6 "Peretz...knew nothing about defence" 21:36  |  Realist 29/10/08
      21.   Shas bid 22:50  |  Brod 29/10/08
      22.   for once I am backing shas 22:58  |  zionist forever 29/10/08
      23.   Jewish Knowledge 23:16  |  Secular 29/10/08
      24.   22# zionist forever " Back Jerusalem" & be Holy ! 00:33  |  Akram Zekaria 30/10/08
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