Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., April 08, 2008 Nisan 3, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:45 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Yishai: Chametz sale is 'stain on Jewish identity' By Barak Ravid The raging debate over last week's court decision to allow the sale of chametz (leavened products) during Passover reached the cabinet on Sunday, with Shas leader Eli Yishai calling the move a "black stain on Israel's Jewish identity." Yishai further claimed that public opinion was mostly opposed to the decision, and called on Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann to order an appeal by the state prosecutor. Advertisement Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said that the state must not allow a court ruling to turn into a "culture war. We must preserve unity and remember we are one nation." Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said that the religious parties' monopoly over all issues relating to Judaism in Israel had provoked unnecessary anger and tension. "I disagree with religious parties on many things," she said, "however I have a vested interest in the preservation of the symbols and values of a Jewish state." Livni said that unfortunately, religious parties had used their influence in government only to push issues and raise funds for the minority religious sector and not the greater Jewish public. She blamed the tensions caused by this for detracting from the larger aim, which she said was "preserving Jewish identity as something that concerns all of us, with no connection to the Haredi sector's interests." Bookmark to del.icio.us   In his father's memory Gilad Sharon's son plans to write his father's memoirs as he lies in a coma. Jammed FM Police close an English radio station which encourages Israeli-Palestinian dialogue.

Today Online Ben-Eliezer: If Iran attacks, we will destroy it Responses: 206 U.S. evangelist pledges $6 million in contributions to Israel Responses: 151 U.S., Israel fear Iran has N. Korean nuclear know-how Responses: 131 Akiva Eldar: Time for Bush to intervene in Mideast peace talks Responses: 74 More Headlines 21:27 Erekat: Peace process credibility 'eaten up' by settlement activities 02:03 Home Front civil defense drills to continue with 10 A.M. siren 02:36 Opposition to national service in Israel's Arab sector is bitter 23:13 Ariel Sharon's son to pen memoir touching on father's life 12:01 Polish PM: I didn't know about my grandfather's Nazi past 00:33 Friedmann lashes back at Supreme Court and Barak 21:46 Police close English radio aimed at Israeli-Palestinian coexistence 19:36 Court rejects Katsav's plea to postpone hearing on sex charges 21:35 Gov't mulls marking Israel's 60th anniversary with tax cut 22:42 Palestinian, 15, dies after hit by bus carrying settlers in W. Bank 21:54 UN official: Gaza medical system in 'pathetic state' Previous Editions Select Day 07 apr 06 apr 04 apr 03 apr 02 apr 01 apr 31 mar 30 mar 28 mar 27 mar 26 mar 25 mar

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