Israel's Knesset Skeptical of Cabinet Decision On Religious Affairs Ministry

In Israel, the government is having difficulty mustering enough support in the Knesset to get ratification of the Cabinet's vote last week to reestablish the Religious Affairs Ministry. Yesterday's Jerusalem Post reported that the government cancelled last Tuesday's scheduled Knesset vote when it became apparent it lacked a majority for the proposal. Critics are concerned that giving control of the Ministry to Shas MK Yitzhak Cohen might lead to hiring of religious officials by political affiliation instead of merit selection. Shas leaders in the Knesset say they think they can get a majority for the proposal in a vote today.