Finance Minister Roni Bar-On is not making an effort to hide his disdain for Minister Without Portfolio Meshulam Nahari of Shas, who is assigned to his office.

Tensions between the two have been mounting as Bar-On remains adamantly opposed to increasing the monthly child allowance paid to parents, a deal-breaker according to Shas, one that will compel the party to bring down the Olmert-led coalition.

The situation this week deteriorated further when Nahari refused to take the podium in Knesset to introduce legislation that he feels is contrary to the interests of the chareidi community. Nahari said he will not do it, adding “let Bar-On take the heat for these bills,” compelling the finance minister to do just that.

Bar-On did indeed take quite a bit of heat, and after stepping down from he podium, released his anger on Nahari, stating he will not tolerate his insubordination and he will not hesitate to dismiss him.

Responding to the threat, Shas released a statement that doing so would mark a sudden and abrupt end to the already crumbling coalition of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)