Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., May 05, 2008 Nisan 30, 5768 | | Israel Time: 01:36 (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

Last update - 21:55 04/05/2008 Gaydamak, former Pensioners set sights on cabinet seats By Yair Ettinger Tags: Israel, Pensioners  The chairman of the Social Justice party, Arcadi Gaydamak, said Sunday he would be pleased to be the minister of diaspora affairs in the Olmert government. Advertisement Speaking in English at a press conference he called to announce the establishment of his first power base in the Knesset, he told reporters, "I have a great deal of experience in the area of Jewish communities in the world." The members of Gaydamak's new faction  formerly Pensioners Party lawmakers  were seated alongside him: MKs Moshe Sharoni, Elhanan Glazer and Sara Marom Shalev. Sharoni, chairman of the new faction, said the Pensioners Party had "betrayed the pensioners," adding that he had seen the Pensioners Party as "the home of Israel's pensioners, but unfortunately this house changed for the worse before my eyes and the eyes of my friends in the past year: principles are no longer principles." Sharoni called Gaydamak "the leading and outstanding social leader in Israel." The signed agreement with Gaydamak gives the three breakaway lawmakers a parliamentary future and perhaps even a ministerial one, if Gaydamak realizes his plan to become, as he put it, "a significant force" in the next Knesset. Sharoni, Glazer and Marom Shalev have been promised three of the five top slots on the new party's list. Sharoni would land the faction's most senior cabinet post if and when it joins the coalition. Gaydamak also pledged to fund the wages of the 22 staff members the three MKs will employ, at a cost of tens of thousands of shekels a month. The press conference was held at Gaydamak's well-appointed offices in Jerusalem, which were festooned with flags of the state and of the city, flowers and a giant photograph of Menachem Begin. The flags apparently showed that Gaydamak's dream to be minister of diaspora affairs is no greater than his dream to be Jerusalem's next mayor. So as not to impair that dream, the new faction's basic principles include a clause that the status quo on state and religious matters will be preserved. Gaydamak did not reveal details of his new party's political platform. To the new immigrant public, which is interested in his stand regarding civil marriage, he said, "We will not decide for the rabbinate." Related articles: Pensioners Party officially splits Eitan's wheeling and dealing keeps Pensioners Party intact Breakaway Pensioners agree to represent Gaydamak in Knesset On second thoughts, he is worthy Bookmark to del.icio.us   Under probe Olmert stays focused on work despite new allegations. Taxi Hamas Hamas police cars serve as taxis in fuel-starved Gaza.   1.   Borderline lawmakers... 00:56  |  Esther 05/05/08

Read & React FM: Israel has no hidden agenda for settlements Responses: 180 Gideon Levy: Why not have a siren for the Naqba on Israel's Independence Day? Responses: 171 ANALYSIS: Is this where it all ends for Ehud Olmert? Responses: 64 Olmert: I'll keep doing my job despite 'vicious rumors' Responses: 66 Report: Hezbollah can intercept all calls in Lebanon thanks to Iranian network Responses: 95 Rosner's Domain Dangerously underestimating Syria and Iran (WTR) Carter is helping Hamas achieve their strategic goal Super headache for superdelegates Asali: on nationalist fantasies, religious zealotry, of Israelis/Palestinians Helping McCain win over Jewish voters (WTR) More Headlines 00:04 Israeli tourist, 22, found dead in southern Peru 22:58 Mazuz hints details of Olmert probe to be released shortly 23:34 Livni: Israel has no hidden agenda for West Bank settlements 23:27 Obama: U.S. would defend Israel in attack, 'nuclear or otherwise' 22:59 Prominent California reverend apologizes for anti-Semitic jibe 21:44 Hirchson faces embezzlement charges, won't request immunity 23:30 Animal rights activists reveal their own (kosher) identity 23:18 Swiss FM disappointed her gov't not invited to Israel's anniversary 00:55 Judge rejects request for restraining order against gay partner 21:55 Gaydamak, former Pensioners set sights on cabinet seats 23:20 Israel spy chief said to host U.K. counterpart for talks on Iran 01:08 IDF charges three soldiers with assaulting Palestinian civilian Previous Editions Select Day 04 may 02 may 01 may 30 apr 29 apr 28 apr 27 apr 25 apr 24 apr 23 apr 22 apr 21 apr

Special Offers Advertisement Dead Sea Products Buy Dead Sea mineral skin care and beauty products. Coupon code Haaretz for 10% off. Pardes Institute Summer Sessions http://www.pardes.org.il/ FAREWELL ISRAEL New Film The Coming War for Islamic Revival - View Movie Trailer The interest rates haven't changed But your profits will! Learn Hebrew online with Israel's best teachers Sign up for a trial lesson today Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved