After 20 years of what some view as discrimination, Belz returns to Agudas Yisrael as the result of a deal signed on Wednesday to secure a seat for a Belze representative.

At present, it appears that Agudah and Degel will run independent of one-another, since they have not met and the lists must be submitted no later than Sunday. If this is the case, it would return to the situation last seen in 5749. What has been accomplished however is the agreement with Belz, the chassidus that decided to go with Degel HaTorah when the parties parted ways in 5749 (1989).

The agreement includes Belz in the Agudah lineup, but only in a temporary capacity. Belz did not sign to become an integral part of Agudah mosdos.

Members of the Committee of Six met in Agudah’s office on Press Street in Yerushalayim (as reported HERE on YWN), together with Belzer representatives, Rav Yisrael Eichler, Rav Breish and Rav Mordecai Weber.

Rav Meir Porush will be the person required to vacate his seat to accommodate the rotation agreement with Belz in the event they only receive 5 seats, thereby leaving the Belz candidate out of Knesset. Even if Agudah does run with Degel in the end, the Belz candidate is guaranteed his seat at Porush’s expense.

Eichler, a former MK, will be on the ticket in the Belz slot.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)