Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., April 24, 2008 Nisan 19, 5768 | | Israel Time: 05:47 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Shas MK Yitzhak Cohen will assume the post of religious affairs minister. (Tomer Appelbaum) Last update - 21:13 14/01/2008 Knesset plenum votes to revive Religious Affairs Ministry, 51-27 By Shahar Ilan, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Knesset, Israel  The Knesset plenum on Monday approved in a vote of 51 to 37 the reestablishment of the Religious Affairs Ministry, to be headed by Minister Yitzhak Cohen (Shas). Members of the Knesset's Arab faction skipped the deliberations, bringing the vote to a head. The vote, originally scheduled to be held last week, was delayed due to the opposition of both Yisrael Beiteinu and the Labor Party which prevented quorum. Advertisement Most members of Knesset from Labor voted against reviving the ministry, but the party's ministers voted in favor. Yisrael Beiteinu MKs were split among supporters, opponents and absentees. The government two weeks ago approved the separation of the religious services authority from the Prime Minister's Office. The move was approved by a vote of 16 ministers in favor to six against. Two ministers abstained. The original Religious Affairs Ministry was dismantled in 2003, under the Sharon-Shinnui government. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said during the meeting two weeks ago that there is "no intention of reestablishing the religious services authority in its previous format," and added that "until now, the matter of religious services was under my charge, but I don't think that a prime minister should devote hours every week to signing burial permits." The Chief Rabbinate, the Rabbinical courts, and the religious schools will remain under the prime minister's control. Prior to the vote, National Religious Party chairman Zevulun Orlev demanded the government reveal details of any back-channel agreements with the Arab factions, should such an agreement exist. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert denied Orlev's suggestion a deal was struck in exchange for their abstaining. "The Olmert government is buying Shas in exchange for its survival at the taxpayers' expense," Meretz MK Zehava Gal-On said in reaction to the vote. "Once again jobs will be given to cronies and funds will be transferred to the haredim all on the back of the secular public." "This shameful act of creating the Religious Affairs Ministry anew will no doubt deepen the corruption in the religious establishment," said Rabbi Gilad Kariv, associate director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. "[I call on] all candidates for prime minister to pledge that, if elected, he or she will dismantle the ministry immediately." Cohen expressed satisfaction with the Knesset's approval, saying he will "focus starting tomorrow morning on payment of salaries to religious council workers and on a solution to the religious services crisis." Related articles: Government separates religious services authority from PMO Editorial: Religion is the victim Bookmark to del.icio.us   Sex, lies and videotape 3 Kibbutz Ein Gedi residents suspected of filming themselves raping Danish tourists. Big brother is watching An IDF soldier has been jailed for posting sensitive photos on Facebook.   1.   Olmert doesnt want Shas to drop out his coalition 21:52  |  zionist forever 14/01/08   2.   To Rabbi Kariv 22:52  |  Sincere servant of G 14/01/08   3.   # 1. Soon we will have a Ministry of Sound.! 23:43  |  Stephen. 14/01/08   4.   How About a Ministry of SIlly Walks? 00:47  |  B`Galil 15/01/08   5.   ministry of pious fools 01:43  |  enough 15/01/08   6.   religion ministry 05:37  |  disgusted 15/01/08   7.   B`Galil #4 03:06  |  Zahara Cohen 16/01/08   8.   Knesset plenum vote to revive Rel Affairs 05:23  |  Joe Schon 24/04/08

Read & React Ezra: New spy case won't harm U.S.-Israel ties Responses: 585 Syrian FM: Nothing barring resumption of peace talks with Israel Responses: 303 Yuval Steinitz: Absurd U.S. intel report saps effort to save world from Iranian nukes Responses: 77 ANALYSIS: New espionage affair may be old story, but will greatly damage Israel Responses: 121 Rosner's Domain The real numbers of the Jewish vote in Pennsylvania New poll: Will the new spy case harm U.S.-Israel ties? Why was the new spy arrested now? (WTR) Notes on the new Israeli-espionage affair More Headlines 04:02 Israel keeps mum on Syria reactor hit as U.S. Congress holds hearings 05:35 U.S. presence seen vital to re-launch talks with Syria 05:27 U.S. to demand Jerusalem acknowledge Kadish was an Israeli agent 05:14 Ex-prosecutor: Israel lied about extent of anti-U.S. spying in '80s 02:52 Defense Min. yet to start court-ordered reroute of Bil'in fence 03:39 Clinton wins Pennsylvania Jewish vote with surprising ease 03:39 Western envoys to UN bolt meet after Libyan rep's Gaza-Nazi remark 23:18 Christmas card written by Anne Frank turns up in antique shop 05:02 Israeli mogul Tshuva sets sights on L.A. luxury apartments project 02:23 Israel launches two airstrikes against Gaza Strip targets 23:33 Video footage leads to indictment of 3 kibbutzniks for rape Previous Editions Select Day 23 apr 22 apr 21 apr 20 apr 18 apr 17 apr 16 apr 15 apr 14 apr 13 apr 11 apr 10 apr

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