Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri addressed the government's decisions on the conversion law and the transfer of rabbinical courts to the Ministry of Religious Affairs at noon (Monday) at the beginning of the Shas faction's meeting in the Knesset, and attacked Yair Lapid and Tzipi Livni.
Deri opened up about the conversion law and said: "People forget that the director of conversion moved from the Ministry of Religious Affairs to the Prime Minister's Office. You know, in our places, it's not customary to give up authority.".
The Shas chairman also spoke about the conversion law: "The second decision on the conversion outline that the government accepted is, word for word, with the bullet points and the rulings, the product of former minister Avigdor Lieberman together with former Chief Justice Rabbi Amar in 2009. This is their outline of Yisrael Beiteinu. It did not reach legislation, but this is the outline they proposed. It was not acceptable to us, but we agreed to compromise.".
It should be noted that Deri forgot to give credit to the drafter, former MK Dudu Rotem, the late.
Regarding the transfer of the courts to the control of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Deri mentioned that it is all about restoring the situation to its former state: "People forget that what was transferred to the Ministry of Religious Affairs is what was taken from it in 2003 by the late Tommy Lapid, who transferred the courts to the Ministry of Justice, claiming that this would improve the status of the courts in the Ministry of Justice.
""Everyone thought that the tribunals were discriminated against compared to the courts, in standards, structures, etc., and the thought was that this would benefit them. Unfortunately, from 2003 until today, 13 years, the opposite has been proven. Not only have we not progressed, but we have also deteriorated.".
""It's not for nothing that nearly a third of the courts are unstaffed. There was no address and in the Ministry of Justice they were considered an exception. Everything that was transferred to the Ministry of Religious Affairs is just administrative.".
Committee Chairman: Yuval Steinitz
The Shas chairman promised that the Minister of Religious Affairs will do good to the courts: "I promise that the Minister of Religious Affairs, Rabbi David Azoulay, will prove that he will do everything to solve the problems of agunot, of procrastination, and problems of the vehicles, and you will see these results.".
Deri also wanted to mention that, despite Shas's wishes, the chairman of the committee for appointing judges is not a Shas member, but rather Yuval Steinitz from the Likud.
The amendment to the kashrut law also received Deri's comment: "They forget that I am the Minister of Economy, who has the greatest interest in easing the cost of living and removing barriers. This is how I will test whether I am successful. However, we must remember that we are in a Jewish state, and most Israeli citizens want good kashrut, and therefore I have to balance the two things.".
""This is why today I will hold a discussion with all parties, and will do everything in the Ministry of Inclusion to remove barriers. At the same time, I am not ashamed to say: I will ensure that I satisfy the wishes of the majority of the residents of the State of Israel who want kosher and good kosher.".
""Former Minister" Lapid
At this point, Deri addressed the attacks in the media and attacks that also came from the coalition: "I regret that people within the coalition, for other considerations unrelated to the nature of the matter, have raised voices against it even though it is a coalition agreement. This is an unacceptable phenomenon in my opinion, and the Prime Minister said this yesterday. I hope this will not change.".
""I want to say to all the voices I heard today about 'selling the state to the Haredim.' We could have received twice as much in the coalition agreement, if only we had recommended to the president of the state a government led by Bozjoi Herzog.".
""Then we would hear former Minister Lapid, and I am happy to say former Minister, and former Minister Tzipi Livni and others, justifying why to give to the Haredim, and why it is worthwhile, and why it is a combination, and why it is good. Therefore, this hypocrisy must stop. I do not want to mention that only a few months ago when they wanted to oust the Prime Minister - his coalition partners - what they offered us then.
""We are not renewing anything. For two years, this government has tried to harm and harm the Haredi public and harmed the weak, and we are trying to fix that. We are not managing to fix everything. This government is strong. The Prime Minister is running it with a strong hand. There is no one who can bring it down, and whoever wants to join, let them not shout, let them join, welcome. We will pass the state budget.".
Did the media come to honor her?
The Shas women's 'council' also arrived at the faction meeting - which included Adina Bar Shalom, with media advisor Itzik Sudri standing by her side.
Deri began his remarks by addressing her arrival and said: "I congratulate Rebbetzin Adina Bar Shalom, who has agreed to participate in the faction, at least once a month and more often if necessary.
""I think that all the media came to your honor, and maybe more will come. Last week I received news from my other half that the Shas Women's Council reached Mitzpe Rimon with its activities. Thanks to righteous women.".
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