In an interview with Channel 10’s Guy Lehrer, Rabbi Amnon Yitzchak explains that politicians that are genuinely interested in joining his ‘Power to Influence’ (כח להשפיע) Party have been threatened to prevent them from doing so.

In one case, he explains a messenger was sent to him to explain “If you will be a good boy, we will let to you in to see him. If not, chaval (too bad),” referring to the good relations he has maintained to date with Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef Shlita.

The rav explains there are ongoing threats, stating one person who serves as a MK today was threatened until he backed down from joining forces.

“There are threats against people who wish to do things in a different direction and you know, they cut them off and threaten them” he added, explaining he is now prevented from meeting with Rav Ovadia, admitting he has gone to great lengths towards meeting with the gadol hador, but his efforts have failed since he is now marked – following his decision to run in the general elections.

Rabbi Yitzchak adds people around the rav are not sparing efforts to prevent him from meeting, and he is aware of this.

While they are not comparable regarding their platforms, Rabbi Amnon Yitzchak now finds himself in a similar predicament as Rabbi Chaim Amsellem, who has also been labeled persona non grata after breaking away from Shas to launch his own party. Interestingly, Rabbi Amsellem, who was close to Rav Ovadia, receiving smicha from him, is not permitted to visit with the gadol hador, with both of these men representing a threat to Shas’ powerbase in the upcoming general elections.

In addition to the threats against those wishing to join his efforts, Amnon Yitzchak also faces the monetary boycott by Satmar, as was announced last week. Satmar signaled it will cut off its significant funding of the rabbi’s bal tshuva efforts if he opts to join the Zionist Knesset.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)