Last Tuesday, Yehudat and the Likud announced the signing of an agreement annexing positions. The agreement that was signed included only the positions agreed upon by the parties, but the principles they insist on in Torah Judaism were left out. This evening (Tuesday), according to a publication by Amit Segal, it seems that Torah Judaism is close to a complete agreement with the Likud.
The articles of Likud’s agreement with Torah Judaism:
- No electricity will be generated on Saturday.
- The representative of the Chief Rabbinate will participate in the work permit committee on Shabbat.
- Geniza funding of holy books by the government.
- The government will establish and finance bodies that will answer halachic questions.
- The budget for ultra-Orthodox culture in the Ministry of Education will be at least NIS 100 million.
- Reinforcement of Talmud studies in secular schools.
- The matriculation reform will be canceled.
- The number of separate beaches in the country will increase.
- The discount on public transportation in ultra-orthodox cities will increase.
- In government companies, the ultra-Orthodox will receive affirmative action.
- Hospital administrators will be able to prohibit the introduction of sour cream into hospitals.
- Internet government service will also be provided by phone or face-to-face.
- The kosher phone reform will be canceled.
Officials in the Likud said this evening that contrary to the publication in “News 12”, the published list is a list of demands of Torah Judaism and not an agreement that the Likud agreed to: “For example, the Likud does not agree on the prohibition of stopping electricity production on Shabbat, the expansion of the segregated beaches and other things that were brought up in the talks. A final agreement will preserve the status quo that has been customary for years in matters of religion and state.”
The roles agreed upon last week:
- Yitzhak Goldknoff – Minister of Housing.
- Uri Makalev – Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office with powers in the Economic Development Authority and public transportation in the ultra-orthodox sector. In addition, Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Transport.
- Meir Porush – Minister of Jerusalem and Meron Affairs.
- Jacob Tesler – Deputy Minister of Welfare.
- Moshe Gafni – Chairman of the Finance Committee.
- Yaakov Asher – Chairman of the Interior Committee.
- Israel Eichler – Chairman of the Labor and Welfare Committee.
- Yitzhak Pindros – Chairman of the Public Inquiries Committee.