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Last update - 10:08 28/02/2008 Shas demands it be given Knesset Finance C'tee chairmanship By Zvi Zrahiya, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Israel, Shas, Knesset Yakov Margi, the chairman of Shas' Knesset faction, on Wednesday demanded that coalition chairman Eli Aflalo give the religious party the chairmanship of the Knesset Finance Committee. Alternatively, Margi clarified, Shas would settle for the Interior Affairs Committee. The impetus behind Shas' demand is that Yisrael Beiteinu has left the coalition, yet its party member Stas Misezhnikov continues to chair the Finance Committee. Shas sources call that "imbalanced," and argue that the ruling coalition must be at the helm of this key committee. But perhaps the real urgency behind Shas' move is that Misezhnikov last week abstained in a vote on transferring NIS 475 million from the state budget to ultra-Orthodox institutions run by Shas, as had been stipulated in the coalition's written agreement with Shas. Also, Misezhnikov postponed a repeat vote on the transfer of funds by a week, although ultimately Wednesday the committee did vote to hand over the money. Advertisement Aflalo told Margi that any discussion of his request would have to wait for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to return from Japan. Misezhnikov recently clarified that he would be prepared to step down as chairman of the Finance Committee if the coalition asked him to. Whatever umbrage Shas members may be harboring against Misezhnikov, if any, their real motive is that chairing the committee gives them power over massive funds. If they have to settle for the Interior Affairs Committee, that would give them among other things power over daylight savings time policy, enforcement of local government rules regarding observance of the Shabbat, and the power to assist communities at their discretion. That is not a power to be sneezed at, given the proximity of local elections, in November 2008. Related articles: MKs back bill to block porn, gambling sites for Israeli surfers Shas MK blames gays for recent earthquakes in the region Chief Rabbi Amar allows Shabbat work at Ben-Gurion Airport Stop forcing people to work on Shabbat, Eli Yishai urges businesses Bookmark to del.icio.us   Power to the people Egypt plans to provide all of Gaza's electricity, to wean dependency on Israel. Calculated escalation Hamas has been trying for some time to create a balance of deterrence with Israel.   1.   Why NIS 475 million not enouugh money for Shas 09:23  |  SJ 28/02/08   2.   All we hear lately.... 10:51  |  Esther 28/02/08   3.   The price of the bribe... 13:02  |  TEA 02/03/08

Today Online Violence continues as 6 Gazans die, Qassams wound at least one Israeli Responses: 67 EU joins UN in slamming use of 'disproportionate' force in Gaza Responses: 97 Zvi Bar'el: Get ready for the third intifada Responses: 9 Harel and Issacharoff: Hamas will now try to avenge Gaza deaths Responses: 23 Independent expert: IDF bullets didn't kill Mohammed al-Dura Responses: 35 Rosner's Domain No "statement of interest" against terror victims (WTR) McCain, Obama gear up for face off over Iraq Poll: Your solution for the situation in Gaza Battle of Ohio: from James Garfield to Hillary Clinton Prosecutor in AIPAC case to leave before trial? (WTR) More Headlines 13:17 Violence continues as 6 Gazans die, Qassam barrage wounds at least one Israeli 13:21 Olmert: We won't halt Gaza operations even for a second 11:52 EU joins UN in slamming use of 'disproportionate' force in Gaza 09:51 ANALYSIS: Hamas' next move will be to avenge Gaza deaths 10:10 The perspective from Ashkelon: Don't test our patience 10:35 Independent expert: IDF bullets didn't kill Mohammed al-Dura 10:27 Ahmadinejad in Iraq on trip that shows Iran's influence over Baghdad 08:58 Race for the White House: In Ohio, Hillary Clinton comes out fighting 06:47 Hummus test: Peki'in's Jewish tourists switch from Druze to Muslim 12:17 Expats' kids in IDF: 'If I don't help defend my home then who will?' Previous Editions Select Day 29 feb 28 feb 27 feb 26 feb 25 feb 24 feb 22 feb 21 feb 20 feb 19 feb 18 feb 17 feb

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