BREAKING NEWS

Amsalem's spiritual patrons back away from maverick Shas MK

By JONAH MANDEL

NOVEMBER 24, 2010 15:31

The two spiritual patrons of Shas MK Rabbi Haim Amsalem have added their names to the recent letter issued by the Shas Council of Torah Sages denouncing the maverick lawmaker and demanding he return his mandate to the party.

A copy of the council's letter, with the addition of the signatures of Rabbi Meir Mazuz and Rabbi Baruch Abuhatzeira, known as the Baba Baruch, was circulated on Wednesday morning. Mazuz also wrote that “we have already expressed our sentiment that we have nothing to do with [Amsalem] in this world.” The two recently issued letters condemning the publication of a fraudulent letter in which they were quoted as calling Amsalem an “evil person who should be avoided,” but neither had expressed their support of Amsalem in that opportunity. Mazuz had also written in the same letter last Wednesday that head of the council Rabbi Ovadia Yosef will decide on Amsalem's future.

Sources close to Amsalem said on Wednesday that members of the Baba Baruch's court denied he signed the letter, and claimed it was yet another fraud. But when the news reached haredi websites, and was not denied by the Baba Baruch himself, it appeared as though the signature might actually be valid.

Amsalem had no comment on the latest development.

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