Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., June 03, 2008 Iyyar 29, 5768 | | Israel Time: 11:08 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 23:38 02/06/2008 Despite Shas threats, Bar On says won't increase child welfare payments By Yair Ettinger and Mazal Mualem, Haaretz Correspondents Tags: Ehud Olmert, government, Shas  Finance Minister Roni Bar On said on Monday that there would be no increase in child welfare payments, despite Shas chairman Eli Yishai's threat that his party would leave the government if the stipends were not raised. "We will not agree to a withdrawal from our successful economic statesmanship that has proven itself over the years," said Bar On. In a sub-committee meeting on the issue of the payments, Yishai warned Bar On that this time, Shas meant business and that if his party demands were not met, Shas would follow the instructions of Shas' Council of Torah Sages. Advertisement In a telephone survey of the Council of Torah Sages, the Rabbis decided that "if a solution is not found for Shas' demands to raise the child welfare stipends, Shas will support a law to dissolve the Knesset." "NIS 260 Million remains in Shas' coalition agreement, and this money should be utilized for the implementation of positive measures that would decrease poverty and increase household incomes, especially concerning children," said Bar On in response. Political insiders say Shas is getting ready to jump ship on the assumption that the government's days are numbered, and it is using the social agenda as its excuse. Shas has rejected Olmert's offer to appoint a Shas man as deputy housing minister in exchange for support on the appointments. Shas ministers told Olmert they would not be appeased with appointments and would reject the offers even if offered another ministerial post. Shas sources said they were Olmert's most loyal partners and did not complain even when Olmert gave labor the deputy defense minister's post and appointed Majali Wahabi of Kadima as deputy foreign minister to solve internal coalition problems, despite prior agreements with Shas. "It's not that we're taking advantage of Olmert's weakness because of the investigations. It's a mater of principle," a Shas source said Monday. "We won't let them give us the runaround. We want a yes or no answer," said the source. Shas intends to emphasize social causes in the next election campaign and needs to distinguish itself from Labor on these issues, a Shas source said. Shas will say in its campaign that Labor prefers to "feed opportunist politicians rather than hungry children," the source said. Related articles: Shas threatens to bolt government over child welfare payments Bookmark to del.icio.us   Slamming Obama McCain uses speech to AIPAC to criticize Obama for willingness to meet U.S. foes. Soldier kidnapping Three Israeli Arabs charged with planning to kidnap, kill soldier.   1.   It must be Monday 14:57  |  SJ 02/06/08   2.   Promises, promises... 15:35  |  Buzaglow 02/06/08   3.   Ha´aretz: elaborate! Inconsistency betw. Shas and Yishai-articles 15:49  |  AliciaYasmeen 02/06/08   4.   Smaller families 16:32  |  Leon 02/06/08   5.   OK, I got it! Here are some ideas 16:40  |  AliciaYasmeen 02/06/08   6.   To understand Shas... FOLLOW THE MONEY! 17:06  |  Ben Uziel 02/06/08   7.   By all means no one intends to vote for you anyway 17:06  |  Israel 02/06/08   8.   Overhaul the present electoral system or expect more of the same 17:08  |  Nach 02/06/08   9.   Once again Shas makes empty threats 18:38  |  David 02/06/08   10.   then let them quit. Israelis will not be hostages 18:50  |  j 02/06/08   11.   10. And thats why you will be a minority 19:47  |  S Judah 02/06/08   12.   So quit & save our country! 19:51  |  Wise Saba 02/06/08   13.   Stop extortion-pays and they leave... 20:02  |  Ulf 02/06/08   14.   Child welfare payments 22:26  |  Realist 02/06/08   15.   #6 - Shas does more for its voters than any other party! 23:16  |  redmike 02/06/08   16.   Shas Extortion. 10:55  |  DkS 03/06/08

Read & React MK Avital: Israel should renounce Hagee, his ilk Responses: 5 Shin Bet detains Physicians for Human Rights official Responses: 17 Housing Min.: Olmert backed move to build new homes in E. J'lem Responses: 104 Natalie Portman to pitch Jewish-funded Rwanda youth village Responses: 14 U.S. imam fighting deportation talks of torture by Israel Responses: 40 Egypt tries to thwart EU pact to upgrade Israel trade ties Responses: 57 Rosner's Domain New Guest: Why educate child as Jew when he is not Jewish? McCain's real enemy: Iran or Obama? (WTR) Poll: What political option is better for Israel? The ultimate challenge for Pastor Hagee McCain's Defense Sec(?) isn't sure about recognizing Israel (WTR) More Headlines 11:04 Palestinian sniper moderately wounds IDF soldier in Gaza 10:10 With eye on PM job, Mofaz parlays with Shas to avoid early elections 09:26 Olmert heads to U.S. with focus on defense ties, thwarting Iran 09:45 Housing Minister: Olmert backed decision to build new homes in East Jerusalem 11:04 Settlers rebuild outpost near Hebron after IDF razes it for 32nd time 03:52 Physicians for Human Rights official detained by Shin Bet 09:55 Natalie Portman to pitch Jewish-funded youth village in Rwanda 02:39 Egypt tries to thwart Israel's plans in Europe 10:16 Former neo-Nazis from Sweden visit Yad Vashem 08:10 Gal-On bill would jail 'online brothel managers' for 5 years 02:49 In about-face, government may open doors to Falashmura immigration 05:53 Anti-Semitic incidents in Canada hit record high in 2007 Previous Editions Select Day 02 jun 01 jun 30 may 29 may 28 may 27 may 26 may 25 may 23 may 22 may 21 may 20 may

Special Offers Advertisement Dead Sea Products Buy Dead Sea mineral skin care and beauty products. Coupon code Haaretz for 10% off. Jerusalem of Gold Luxury apartments in Jerusalem's finest location Your vacation starts here Israel Travel Center Guaranteed Lowest Rates Istudy Learn Hebrew in 3 months The Terraces Your Ultimate Coastal Address On Nitza Boulevard, North Netanya Together Celebrating Israel's 60th The Jewish Agency and You - together making history Pardes Institute Summer Sessions http://www.pardes.org.il/ 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 | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops 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