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Shas Chairman Eli Yishai. (Jini Archives)
Last update - 21:36 11/02/2008
Shas: We'll quit government if peace talks continue amid terror
By Mazal Mualem, Haaretz Correspondent, and Haaretz Service
Tags: Israel, peace process 

Shas Chairman Eli Yishai on Monday stepped up his party's threats to resign from the government over the ongoing peace talks with the Palestinians, warning against moving forward in the peace process as long as terrorism against Israelis continues.

"If there is any diplomatic progress in the negotiations with Palestinians beyond the current situation, and we are still under fire from Qassams and West Bank incidents, Shas will quit the government immediately," he said.

Shas has taken a tougher stance on diplomatic issues, and stepped up threats to resign from the government, since the right-wing Yisrael Beiteinu party walked out of the government in protest over the decision to launch talks on the core issues of the conflict, including Jerusalem, refugees, and borders.
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The ultra-Orthodox Sephardic party has said that talks on Jerusalem would constitute a red line, and in recent weeks has demanded that other core issues like permanent borders and refugees be kept off the table as well.

On Thursday, the Shas Knesset faction intends to tour the City of David in Jerusalem in order to express its commitment to the capital and make its diplomatic intentions clear. The tour will be held jointly with the far-right National Religious Party.

Yishai met with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert two weeks ago, telling him that even the intention to include Jerusalem in the peace talks would prompt Shas' immediate resignation. Yishai, who serves as minister of industry, trade, and labor, demanded that Olmert clarify the goals of the negotiations in general and on Jerusalem in particular, adding that he expects to be updated in advance regarding any developments in the talks between Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and chief Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Qureia.

Shas' spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef backed Yishai, saying the party "would not divide Jerusalem and not sit in the government that divides Jerusalem."

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      1.   Peace negatiations under fire historically bad Idea 18:09  |  Bruce Rubin 11/02/08
      2.   All One Can Say To This Lot Is 18:13  |  Yaakov Sullivan 11/02/08
      3.   Quit already you big baby 18:13  |  Natallie Durson 11/02/08
      4.   Shas must learn to distinguish 18:16  |  Yonatan 11/02/08
      5.   Shas, does not understand Peace or Diplomacy. 18:19  |  Stephen. 11/02/08
      6.   Shas Corrupt Liers 18:26  |  Shaka 11/02/08
      7.   Stop Talking and Quit Already 18:28  |  Raoul Isaac 11/02/08
      8.   Shas = Prostitutes 18:31  |  Gee 11/02/08
      9.   Half a matzoh better than none at all 18:31  |  Morris Valentine 11/02/08
      10.   It is enough. 18:41  |  Vital 11/02/08
      11.   Shas - what is their measure of terror? 18:48  |  eddie 11/02/08
      12.   Sullivan 18:53  |  Paul 11/02/08
      13.   shas today is the party of prostitution 18:54  |  zionist forever 11/02/08
      14.   all bark,no bite 18:54  |  chaim 11/02/08
      15.   $$ 18:58  |  yossie 11/02/08
      16.   Is Shas waiting for Yom Kippur to annul the vow? 19:08  |  Reb 11/02/08
      17.   rumours flying 19:10  |  hear no evil 11/02/08
      18.   Paul on Serousness 19:20  |  Yaakov Sullivan 11/02/08
      19.   Peace negotiations ??? Are everybody in Israel insane ??? 19:25  |  Sal 11/02/08
      20.   Destroy the terrorists. 19:39  |  Malka Ziv 11/02/08
      21.   QUIT NOW! 19:46  |  Avraham 11/02/08
      22.   Shas threats are as empty as Barak`s 19:47  |  Avi 11/02/08
      23.   3 NATALIE DURSON 19:57  |  MIKE 11/02/08
      24.   So quit already 20:10  |  Jason_M 11/02/08
      25.   I agree with Shaka (good post) 20:32  |  Avi 11/02/08
      26.   I wish that were true Yonatan (#4) 20:43  |  Avi 11/02/08
      27.   Yonatan 21:01  |  Danite 11/02/08
      28.   Do us all a favor and quit politics altogether 21:12  |  SJ 11/02/08
      29.   Quit, so the world can see exactly who is the roadblock to peace 21:23  |  Pablo B 11/02/08
      30.   Shas, would you also encourage your members to serve in the IDF? 21:25  |  Scientist 11/02/08
      31.   Haaratz prints story a day late, and wrong. Honest journalism? 22:02  |  Dr. L. Brnd 11/02/08
      32.   alternative to talks under fire is .... 22:45  |  Paul Freedman 11/02/08
      33.   If talks start we quit=new story,if they continue= Hog wash 22:57  |  sam 11/02/08
      34.   So, Shas doesn`t want peace talks...... 22:59  |  Johnboy 11/02/08
      35.   Livni admitted to `secret talks` over the week-end! 23:12  |  redmike 11/02/08
      36.   #34 Johnboy 23:57  |  Malone 11/02/08
      37.   #34 johnboy with the right idea on bussing 00:00  |  v hardman 12/02/08
      38.   To Dr L Brnd (#31) 00:18  |  Morris Valentine 12/02/08
      39.   The overall irony ... 00:20  |  Axel 12/02/08
      40.   30 00:36  |  Nat 12/02/08
      41.   #38 Valentine: Arab "sharing" of Jerusalem 1948-1967? No thanks. 00:52  |  Dr. L. Brnd 12/02/08
      42.   A Jewish absurdity 01:04  |  Axel 12/02/08
      43.   Buh Bye 01:47  |  Jane 12/02/08
      44.   EIther sh-t or get off the pot. 02:17  |  uncommon sense 12/02/08
      45.   Shas has no excuse to stay in the evil coalition one more day! 03:36  |  Chaim 12/02/08
      46.   We agree again 04:24  |  Mark Lincoln 12/02/08
      47.   Your typical psychopath with a beard 04:25  |  Mark Lincoln 12/02/08
      48.   To Dr L Brnd (#41) 06:00  |  Morris Valentine 12/02/08
      49.   To Axel (#42): an absurdity by any other name 06:05  |  Morris Valentine 12/02/08
      50.   #47 Mark - Really? Whats your take on the "Pledge of Allegiance"? 06:08  |  Dr. L. Brnd 12/02/08
      51.   QUIT 10:50  |  colin 12/02/08
      52.   Is Olmert being bribed or is he crazy? 23:46  |  Yaakov 17/02/08
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