Seeking to compete with the infighting in Bayit Yehudi, Yahadut HaTorah has yet to resolve the dispute over who will chair the Knesset Finance Committee, with Degel HaTorah insisting it must go to Moshe Gafne and Agudah demanding the post for Yaakov Litzman.

The dispute during recent days has escalated as both Litzman and Gafne are unwilling to show any flexibility. Both sides are declaring “all or nothing”, insisting their rabbonim have instructed them to hold the post and it is a matter of “Kavod HaTorah”.

Interestingly and in the eyes of many, astoundingly, Meir Porush, who is somewhat in the middle, belonging to Shlomei Emunim, on Monday was called upon by Litzman to support his bid. Porush declined to comply, adding “without a past, there cannot be a future,” meaning that until Litzman apologizes for his action surrounding Porush’s Jerusalem mayoral bid, there will be no cooperation.

According to reports, Porush is backed by Shlomei Emunim officials, who explain that without a public apology from Litzman, supporting him would be tantamount to betraying voters in the mayoral race.

Shlomei Emunim official add that unlike Litzman who handed Jerusalem City Hall to a “chiloni” (non-frum), they are handing it over to a member of the party, albeit the other faction, stating Litzman cannot destroy the mayoral campaign and then expect support in return.

They point out that Shlomei Emunim is not seeking any post, but it will not support Litzman under present realities.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)