Cabinet ministers during this past Sunday’s cabinet meeting were requested to sign their names on a copy of a political manifest that was written a year after the establishment of the state as a symbolic gesture to mark Israel’s 60th anniversary.

The document speaks of driving the foreigners out of the land and obtaining independence, reaching Israel’s first year of independence, but Shas ministers announced they were unwilling to sign since G-d and Divine Intervention were not at all mentioned.

Eventually, party leader Deputy Prime Minister Eli Yishai telephoned Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Shlita, who instructed party ministers to sign but to add words [partially from Hallel] “This emanated from Hashem – it is wondrous in our eyes and I pray to G-d that he restores us to our former glory – This is the day Hashem made, let us rejoice and be glad on it.” Only then did the Shas ministers sign.

Olmert, who is aware of his weakened political realities, agreed to the addendum, asking the ministers to write what they will and please sign.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)