The Wednesday 20 Teves 5773 edition of Hamodia, affiliated with Agudas Yisrael, has a column entitled “Behind HaBayit HaYehudi,” warning supporters not to vote for Naftali Bennett’s party. Hamodia realizes that as the party continues to gain support and some of those votes may be coming from the Ashkenazi chareidi tzibur. The article is harsh, referring to Bennett and Bayit HaYehudi as “the enemy”, apparently prompted by Bennett’s growing popularity and Yahadut Hatorah’s mounting concerns.

The article begins by pointing out that about 40% of supporters of the party identify as non-frum, but they do support the Zionist state, albeit to the right of Likud/Beitenu.

The article warns readers that despite the fact the party portrays itself as kippa sruga (knitted yarmulke), in actuality it is mixed, frum and non-frum, citing the third slot in the lineup is held by one who is not shomer shabbos.

“One should realize that the party leader does not disqualify cooperation with chareidim, but our bitter past experience shows us the “dati’im” (modern frum) like Bennett and his colleagues are sevenfold more dangerous to Yahadut Hatorah, its sons and daughters.”

“For us, chareidi Yidden, anyone who is not truly chareidi in the fullest sense of the word, its values and its hashkafa does not love us. One who does not love chareidim or those who believe we must reach an agreement to induct avreichim into the IDF, referring to those who learn Torah, is our enemy!”

The article continues asking one to attempt to identify the difference between Bennett and Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid, and between those two and Labor leader Shelly Yacimovich and The Movement leader Tzipi Livni regarding the old Tal Law and the long standing arrangement to permit avreichim to study Torah instead of serving in the military. “Isn’t Bennett like the others, the enemies of chareidi education — seeking to impose his educational values on the pure chareidi mosdos? Isn’t he trying to compel us to add ‘core subjects’ into chareidi mosdos?”

“To you, those with children in chareidi mosdos; don’t be enticed”, continuing by pointing out that davka HaBayit HaYehudi and its hashkafa is more dangerous to the chareidim than the non-frum parties.

“What can you do? There is no alternative to chareidi representatives in Knesset; there is no replacement for Yahadut Hatorah. The party behind the scene accomplished several fold to that which is known to the general public and there are many accomplishments in the outgoing Knesset for mosdos, the chareidi tzibur and Klal Yisrael.”

In conclusion, Hamodia emphasizes abstaining in the election is not a solution for Yahadut Hatorah needs the chareidim to get out and vote to “keep our enemies out.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)