Israel - Shas vows to quit gov't if talks, terror continue in tandem

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Shas vows to quit gov't if talks, terror continue in tandem
By Mazal Mualem, Haaretz Correspondent, and Haaretz Service

Shas Chairman Eli Yishai on Monday stepped up his party's threats to resign from the government over the ongoing peace talks with the Palestinians, warning against moving forward in the peace process as long as terrorism against Israelis continues.

"If there is any diplomatic progress in the negotiations with Palestinians beyond the current situation, and we are still under fire from Qassams and West Bank incidents, Shas will quit the government immediately," he said.

Shas has taken a tougher stance on diplomatic issues, and stepped up threats to resign from the government, since the right-wing Yisrael Beiteinu party walked out of the government in protest over the decision to launch talks on the core issues of the conflict, including Jerusalem, refugees, and borders.

Shas has taken a tougher stance on diplomatic issues, and stepped up threats to resign from the government, since the right-wing Yisrael Beiteinu party walked out of the government in protest over the decision to launch talks on the core issues of the conflict, including Jerusalem, refugees, and borders.

The ultra-Orthodox Sephardic party has said that talks on Jerusalem would constitute a red line, and in recent weeks has demanded that other core issues like permanent borders and refugees be kept off the table as well.

On Thursday, the Shas Knesset faction intends to tour the City of David in Jerusalem in order to express its commitment to the capital and make its diplomatic intentions clear. The tour will be held jointly with the far-right National Religious Party.

Yishai met with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert two weeks ago, telling him that even the intention to include Jerusalem in the peace talks would prompt Shas' immediate resignation. Yishai, who serves as minister of industry, trade, and labor, demanded that Olmert clarify the goals of the negotiations in general and on Jerusalem in particular, adding that he expects to be updated in advance regarding any developments in the talks between Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and chief Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Qureia.

Shas' spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef backed Yishai, saying the party "would not divide Jerusalem and not sit in the government that divides Jerusalem."


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