To the surprise of many, Shas is opposing a bill which seeks to eliminate discrimination against Sephardi girls in high schools. The bill is sponsored by MK (Yesh Atid) Meir Cohen, and it prohibits discrimination against potential students due to their ethnicity.

Being this problem exists in the chareidi community, Cohen expected guaranteed support from Shas but it appears the fact that it originates in Yesh Atid, makes the bill pasul for Shas as well as Yahadut Hatorah. Shas MK Yigal Guetta was among the opponents of the bill but announced afterwards that he is embarrassed by his actions. There are also tensions at present in Yahadut Hatorah against Shas because the latter dared to think about supporting the bill, which is justified and necessary, but in the eyes of the chareidi party, pasul due to the fact it originates in the Yesh Atid party.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)