So, Eli Yishai went this morning to consult with Rav Shteinman and get his bracha. Supposedly the meeting was to get his bracha to leave Shas and form a new party with Uri Ariel. And supposedly Rav Shteinman told him to go for it and gave him his bracha.
1. Interesting that Eli Yishai would go to Rav Shteinman rather than a sefardi posek. Maybe he went to others as well and it just was not reported. Perhaps.
2. Interesting that Rav Shteinman would tell him it is ok to split off the classic haredi sefardi party and allow him to form a new party, especially as the new party will not be specifically haredi. I wonder what his response would be if a Degel rep who was upset at the party would ask about splitting off from Degel and forming his own party. Think of the Yerushalmi faction that has threatened to split off and form its own party. They get nothing but curses.
3. Perhaps the Haredi women who want representation in Knesset could approach Yishai and Ariel about getting a slot there. They don't really have anybody they are beholden to, and it could be a windfall for both sides of such an agreement.. The new party would not be specifically haredi, but it would be haredi enough, and Yishai would have more flexibility in such matters than Shas and UTJ have.
4. this is a shame. I am happy he is moving on, but I think it should have been done more peacefully. They should have come to a mutual agreement and understanding, rather than all this fighting
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