The Shas party held a kinos last week during which party officials boasted the party’s successes, including 163 local government representatives nationwide, 57,000 students in the Mayan Chinuch education network, 190 schools, 500 kindergartens, 96 daycare centers, 74 midroshot for the young and 1,700 “HaMayan” network shiurim daily from “Dan to Eilat”. Party leader Aryeh Deri detailed the accomplishment and successes, including additional national government funding for projects.

Regarding the egalitarian prayer area near the Kosel, Deri added this was designated a number of years ago before his return. He was referring to the actions of Jewish Agency Director Natan Sharansky who supported such a move two years earlier.

The head of the Shas party Moetzas Gedolei Yisrael Rabbi Shalom HaGaon HaRav Shalom Cohen Shlita addressed the kinos/rally too, giving his backing to Deri and the other party Members of Knesset, who Rav Cohen stated are the shluchim of the rabbonim working on behalf of the tzibur.

Rabbi Cohen addressed reports that there is a division in the camp and that some have gone to the radio, accusing the chareidi MKs of acting prior to and without consulting with Gedolei Yisrael Shlita. Among the critics who stated this was HaGaon HaRav Tzion Baron Shlita who is viewed as an adversary by Shas today.

Rabbi Cohen stated that anyone that has a problem should come and speak with him and the other rabbonim rather than taking their case to the media.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)