The prospects of the Aguda bloc joining a Labor-led coalition government appeared almost nil today after the Council of Sages, the highest spiritual authority of the two Aguda factions, ordered them not to. The rabbinical authorities stated a number of reasons for rejecting participation in the government. They boiled down to the fact that no government is likely to go along with extremist religious demands such as ending the call-up of women for national service.
The Labor Party had been making serious overtures in recent days toward the Aguda and Poale Aguda factions which hold five Knesset seats. One of the Aguda MKs who participated in the coalition negotiations reportedly tried to convince the Council of Sages that the religious position would be strengthened. He claimed that the Agudists were promised two portfolios if they joined the Cabinet. But he apparently made no impression. The Council decreed that the Agudists are not to join a coalition or to support any government of which they are not members.
Aguda MKs said they would deliver the negative message to the Labor Party. It was not likely that they would act against the orders of their religious authorities.
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