Bayit Yehudi party leader Minister Naftali Bennett reportedly told party members during a Knesset faction meeting that they should advance the deal between the party and Shas regarding the upcoming election for chief rabbis. That meeting was closed to the media. This refers to the deal to support legislation to permit Rishon L’Tzion Rabbi Moshe Shlomo Amar Shlita to run for a second term as well as legislation to permit a candidate over 70-years-old to run for the position, clearing the way for Rabbi Yaakov Ariel Shlita.

While the news was leaked to the media, Bennett is not releasing and official party position statement. It is possible that this means he will still work behind the scenes to advance the candidacy of his favorite, Rabbi David Stav. In addition, there is no mention of Bennett stating he is willing to agree to Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef’s Shlita condition, that he object to the Stern Bill which will add 50 new people to the voting body for chief rabbi. Bennett favors the bill to bring women into the voting body but for R’ Ovadia, doing so is a deal-breaker regarding the deal which was brokered by Rabbi Chaim Druckman Shlita.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)