Minister of Religious Services (Shas) Yaakov Margi met with Egyptian Ambassador to Israel Yasser Rida, using the opportunity to deliver a message of praise to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, for his ‘wised diplomacy’ in the region.

He asked that the president also be enlisted into taking a more active role towards the release of Gilad Shalit, indicating Egypt holds the key to making such an even a reality.

The ambassador explained his country is doing its utmost towards obtaining Shalit’s release, stating Egypt is anxious to see this occur, repeating numerous times during the meeting that all that we wish to achieve in our lives we can achieve through peaceful means, not warfare.

He did not make an effort to hide his admiration for Shas and Maran Rav Ovadia Shlita, making reference to the Rav’s time living in Egypt, asking that the minister pass his nation’s best wishes to the Rav.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)