Israel's ultra orthodox Shas party decided Tuesday afternoon to formally support Likud prime ministerial candidate Ariel Sharon, reported Haaretz newspaper, quoting Israel Radio.
The decision was made following a telephone conversation between the Shas Council of Torah Sages and spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, said the radio report.
Shas intends to use all resources at its disposal, including its activists and organizations, to support the Sharon campaign, said Haaretz.
Last month, the ultra orthodox party voted against dissolving the Knesset for re-electing its members following the resignation of Prime Minister Ehud Barak.
Shas's decision led former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to withdraw from the candidacy of premiership.
In July, Shas withdrew from Barak's cabinet, protesting what they considered compromises offered by Barak to the Palestinians at the Camp David summit in Washington -- Albawaba.com
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