Last week, YWN-ISRAEL quoted the head of the Koach L’Hashpiah Party, Rav Amnon Yitzchak as saying he asked HaGaon HaRav Aaron Leib Shteinman Shlita about running in the elections, telling the gadol hador the polls show he can get 8-9 seats in the 19th Knesset. Rav Amnon reported that Rav Shteinman responded that in such a case, “it’s a mitzvah to run.”

Since making his statement, there were unofficial denials heard from Bnei Brak, statements challenging the accuracy of Rav Amnon’s claim of acting upon the instructions of Rav Shteinman. There have not been any official statements released by Rav Shteinman against the Koach L’Hashpiah Party or Rav Amnon Yitzchak, but the Sunday morning 3 Teves 5773 edition of the Hebrew Yated Ne’eman states clearly that the only party that enjoys Maran’s support is Yahadut Hatorah. Yated officials state the gadol hador supports one party and one party only.

For Shas, the Yated news brings disappointment as it awaits a condemnation of Rav Amnon’s political ambitions, aware his party will be drawing its electoral support from among Shas voters.

Websites supporting Rav Amnon on Sunday morning issue a clarification regarding Rav Shteinman and his support for Rav Amnon, stating the gadol hador “has not and will not be publicizing a letter against the party”, reminding readers the rav supported the establishment of the party as Rav Amnon stated. The statement explains that when the gadol hador says “It’s a mitzvah to do so,” that was taken to understand that it is a mitzvah to establish the party to take votes from the orthodox community “from parties of kofrim”.

Rav Amnon supporters are trying to show that since Rav Shteinman has not come out against Rav Amnon, there is de facto support while Yated is signaling that since Rav Shteinman did not come out for Rav Amnon, one must support only Yahadut Hatorah. And not Rav Amnon’s Koach L’Hashpiah Party.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)