While Shas’ spokesman declined to confirm or deny, it appears that Deputy Prime Minister and Shas leader R’ Eli Yishai joined the prime minister’s mini-cabinet of six. The now forum of seven will undoubtedly anger some, primarily Minister Silvan Shalom, Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, and perhaps even Bayit HaYehudi Chairman Minister Rabbi Dr. Daniel Hershkowitz.

Also present were other notables and a number of government ministers.

Kikar reports the inclusion of Yishai is the result of heavy pressure from the Shas leader, joining the forum which until today consisted of PM Netanyahu, Defense Minister Barak, Foreign Minister Lieberman, and Ministers Moshe Ya’alon, Binyamin Begin, and Dan Meridor.

The forum generally convenes a number of times weekly to discuss delicate matters of a diplomatic and security nature.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)