Rabbi Yaakov Friedman, who has become the spokesman for Netzach, the Degel split off faction, spoke with Noam Zeigman of Kol Chai Radio on Wednesday night the eve of 22 Kislev 5773. Readers are reminded that at the time of the interview, the final lists for the general elections were not yet submitted, which is why Rav Friedman declined to announce his party’s lineup, admitting there may be a change or two prior to the Thursday afternoon deadline.

Rav Friedman had harsh words for Degel HaTorah, insisting the party has veered from the path set forth by Maran HaRav Shach ZT”L and Rav Elyashiv ZT”L, insisting that his split off faction is not a l’chatchila, but the result of coming to the realization that Degel leaders are no long in tune with the derech of gedolei torah. Rav Friedman commented a number of times on the “acts of terrorism” against him and his colleagues by Degel officials, not wishing to get into details.

He added “many people will be surprised after elections”, confident the party will receive over 100,000 votes, and he remains confident Netzach will be in the 19th Knesset, perhaps in bigger numbers that most can imagine. Friedman added “many people will vote for us and while that may not express support in public, behind the curtain of the voting booth they will vote for us, including chassidim”, explaining they have become disenchanted with the derech taken by their parties.

“The big surprise will come from Bnei Brak, for they believe that is their power base” added Friedman, insisting this is not so – explaining many simply do not wish to state their feeling publically, preferring to avoid a confrontation, but they will vote their heart on Election Day.

Rav Friedman stated that he and his colleagues are acting in line with the wishes of “Maran Rosh Yeshiva”, referring to HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Auerbach Shlita, adding they are following in the derech of Rav Elyashiv ZT”L, and that “the house of the former gadol hador stands behind us too”.

Zeigman and the chareidi media tell a different story. The Kol Chai host explained that the station spoke with members of the “Beis Elyashiv”, and this is not so. Kikar Shabbat reports associates of Rav Moshe Elyashiv, a son of the late gadol hador is not in line with Netzach despite reports from R’ Friedman to the contrary.

Rav Friedman added that if Degel did an about face and reinstated Rav Menachem Carmel, he would be “more than pleased” to abandon plans to run independently but the failure of Degel officials to make the move towards achdus leaves him and his colleagues without an alternative.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)