MK (Yahadut Hatorah) Meir Porush on Monday, 23 Tammuz 5773 met with British Ambassador to Israel Mathew Gould. Meeting in the ambassador’s office, Porush discussed matters of current events in Israel as well as issues pertaining to the Jewish community in the UK. Also present was Rabbi Aaron Davis, who serves as the ‘foreign minister’ for Agudas Yisrael in Eretz Yisrael.

Porush detailed the chareidi tzibur’s position regarding ongoing efforts to draft chareidim into the IDF. He warned Ambassador Gould that this would result in a split in the nation.

The ambassador began the meeting with a question, asking Porush if he believes there is a chance of reaching an agreement between Israel and the PA (Palestinian Authority). “To our sorrow, the Arabs have not changed their opinion regarding the pre-1967 boundaries even though they do not verbalize this” he explained.

“In addition, for as long as Abu Mazen has Hamas in Gaza, which is unwilling to recognize Israel or abandon its demand for Palestinian right of return, there is no chance of reaching peace” he added.

Porush added that he feels if the UK and United States would pressure Israel to make a deal with the PA under current realities, this would not be correct. He cited the Gemara דעליך סגי לחברך תעביד, stating Britain and the USA would not accept such a situation and therefore, they should not push it on Israel.

The ambassador added his country has decided to improve its contact with the chareidi community in Israel, realizing this community represents a sizable portion of the population as well as being quite influential. The ambassador explained this is why such meetings are required to enable a forum to hear and understand the opinion of community representatives. The ambassador promised this was the first meeting and he hopes there will additional meetings in the future.

Porush surprised the ambassador when he told him that he got hold of classified protocol (minutes) of a meeting dating back 70 years, from the British archives, in which British officials report on the activities of leaders of Agudah Rav Moshe Blau and Rav Moshe Porush. They they asked the British not to grant the Zionists the authority to speak on behalf of the Jewish People for as long as the Zionists do not guarantee the chareidim may continue living their lifestyle.

“It appears we are reliving history” Porush stated, adding “The British knew to listen to the chareidim 70 years ago and you are interested in hearing from us again today.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)