BREAKING: Shas Leaves The Government
Shas will leave the coalition without the ability to pass laws. However, Shas will not vote for early elections with the opposition, either.
The Shas Religious Leadership Council just ruled today (Wednesday) that Shas must leave the government "at once" due to its failure to pass an acceptable draft law which regularizes the status of yeshivah students.
However, the decision also rejects the idea of cooperating with the left-wing opposition, "even temporarily," which means there will not be enough votes in the Knesset to disperse it and go to early elections. Shas will also support the Netanyahu government in any deal that frees some or all of the hostages.
Prime Minister Netanyahu will thus be heading a minority government for the time being, capable of governing but incapable of advancing anything in the Knesset, whether laws or other priorities.