Netanel Lasri, the new director-general of the Shas party received a warm bracha from Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef Shlita late last week. On Thursday afternoon 5 Elul 5772, Lasri arrived in Bnei Brak and he received a bracha from HaGaon HaRav Aaron Leib Shteinman Shlita. Lasri is known to favor working towards improved cooperation between the chareidi parties in Knesset.

Minister Yaakov Margi held the spot, but he has opted to vacate the position due to his ministerial responsibilities.

Lasri was head of the Bnei Torah faction of the party and now, having been officially appointed to the party position, he plans to work side-by-side with Yahadut HaTorah towards addressing the issues that are common to the Ashkenazi and Sephardi chareidi tzibur alike.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)