Arutz Sheva March 27, 2005

Rabbi Ovadia Yosef is expected to decide tonight whether to support a referendum on the expulsion plan. The fate of 10,000 Jews in Gaza and Northern Samaria might be hanging in the balance.

With passage of the budget bill virtually a done deal with Shinui voting in favor after receiving an allocation of NIS 700 million for projects amenable to its own constituency, the only chance left to topple the government and forestall the Gaza expulsion plan may be in the hands of Rav Ovadia Yosef, spiritual leader of the Shas party.

A step in that direction might have been taken when Shas party leader MK Eli Yishai announced that he would recommend to Rav Yosef that he support legislation to require holding a national referendum before the Gaza expulsion plan can be carried out.

So far, Rav Yosef has opposed a referendum on the Gaza expulsion plan, fearing it might serve as a precedent for referenda on religious issues.

But the Rabbi.s position might be subject to change. Rav Yosef recently said he would reconsider his opposition in light of the halakhic position taken by Rav Elyashiv, spiritual leader of the United Torah Judaism Party and a leading rabbinic authority in Israel. Rav Elyashiv recently told MK.s representing his party that that may vote in favor of the referendum legislation.

Yishai told Israel radio that the time might be right for Rav Yosef to reconsider his position. .The rabbi’s opinion on the issue of referendum is well-known and very clear. He opposes a referendum,” Yishai said. “Having said that, in view of the political situation and the possibilities that exist in the Knesset today, it may be possible to change the decision.

While Shas. eleven MK.s are insufficient to carry the bill in the Knesset, they might encourage a number of Likud MK.s who have been advocating a referendum in order to prevent tearing the nation apart, to vote in favor of the bill.

Such Likud MK.s include senior government ministers such as Foreign Minister Sylvan Shalom, Education Minister Limor Livnat, and Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. These ministers are not part of the 13 MK Likud group headed by MK Uzi Landau who have already said they will vote in favor of a referendum. Landau.s bloc was formed in order to thwart implementation of the expulsion plan.

Binyamin Netanyahu met personally with Rav Yosef last week in an effort to convince him to vote in favor of the bill. Some political commentators believe that if Rav Yosef now decides to allow Shas to vote in favor, it would be disingenuous for the Finance Minister not to follow suit. If Netanyahu announces he will vote in favor of a referendum, it is possible that other Likud MK.s will follow his lead, making the bill.s passage a realistic possibility.

Sharon appears to be considering the possibility of Netanyahu voting in favor of a referendum as a real threat to his government. Labor MK.s have threatened to bolt the coalition and force new elections if Likud ministers vote in favor of the legislation.

Sharon indirectly attacked Netanyahu at today.s cabinet meeting. Referring indirectly to Netanyahu.s meeting with the elderly rabbi, Sharon said, .Last week we saw an attempt [to topple the government]. It pains me that because of internal interests, political relations are being vandalized. Don.t be concerned about what.s happening outside the country, worry about what.s happening here. It seems that all restraints have been removed.. Sharon added: .We.re seeing again and again attempts to topple the government that keep returning with timing that is not coincidental..

Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres attacked Netanyahu more directly: .If the referendum is going to pass tomorrow we.re notifying you now to resign immediately from the government..

Labor Minister Haim Ramon also bashed Netanyahu at the cabinet meeting saying, .If one of the Likud ministers votes in favor of the referendum Labor will leave the government immediately..

Rav Ovadia Yosef is expected to make his decision based on halakcha (Jewish law) tonight.

The referendum bill will be voted on in the Knesset tomorrow.

This entry was posted on Sunday, March 27th, 2005 and is filed under news.