One of the disagreements between Degel Hatorah and Agudas Yisrael surrounds ongoing efforts by Degel to receive the chareidi slot on the committee that appoints dayanim. The Agudas Yisrael faction explains that in line with the agreement between the factions, that slot is supposed go to the chassidim, which hold a 4 to 2 majority in the party.

On Sunday morning 3 Menachem Av, Degel faction MKs Moshe Gafne and Uri Maklev visited with Maran HaGaon HaRav Aaron Yehuda Leib Shteinman Shlita accompanied by party official Yaakov Asher. They discussed a number of matters including the machlokes with Agudas Yisrael. It is reported that much of the 90-minute meeting was dedicated to discussing the dispute surrounding the slot on the dayanim appointment committee.

According to a Kikar Shabbos News report, Maran instructed Gafne to stand firm to obtain the appointment for Gafne, which the Gadol Hador is reported saying “belongs to Degel”. The report adds Rav Shteinman added that Maran HaGaon HaRav Sholom Elyashiv ZT”L always wanted to see Gafne on the committee, who has served in the past. The Degel MKs reportedly told Rav Shteinman that Yisrael Eichler of Agudas Yisrael is likely to remain insistent on receiving the appointment, which they do not believe he will receive.

While it does appear at present that Gafne has a significantly better chance of getting the appointment, if Eichler takes it to the end both factions are likely to lose the seat intended for a chareidi representative.

Degel officials explain that if they believed Eichler has a realistic chance of getting the slot, they would back down but since this is not so, they fear the chareidi slot will be lost and therefore they remain insistent regarding giving the position to Gafne.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)