The latest political buzz in Israel pertaining to the chareidim is that talks are being conducted to establish one united chareidi list. The reports state that internal polls show such a party would earn over 20 seats.
There are reports that the Belzer and Gerrer Rebbes Shlita are unopposed to such an idea, but the problems in this case lie more in the litvish and Sephardi camps rather than in the chassidish Agudas Yisrael. Agudas Yisrael officials quoted anonymously by Kikar Shabbos explain such an entity, a united chareidi bloc, is currently a far cry from reality.
While a united chareidi list was close to impossible in the last elections for the 19th Knesset, such a reality is even less likely this time around if one considers the Shas split, the new Ha’Am Itanu party headed by Eli Yishai, which includes dati leumi Torani MK Yoni Chetboun, and of course the splinter breakaway faction of Degel Hatorah, the Bnei Torah party.
As such, while talks towards chareidi unity may actually be ongoing, and this is questionable, it appears most unlikely today that Shas would enter into any agreement with Eli Yishai and his party, and many might posit the same is true regarding Bnei Torah and Degel Hatorah. Is a united chareidi bloc possible – indeed but considering current chareidi party realities, it is less than likely.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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9 Responses
1. Yishai is ideologically closer to the Hardal camp than to the other hareidim. Indeed, unless hareidim want to switch and endorse army service for yeshiva students, a hawkish hareidi looks ridiculous.
2. Shas, minus Yishai, would probably lose some support if it joined an Ashkenazi list unless Shas was in charge (which give its recent decline would not be likely).
3. Any splinters from Yahadut ha-Torah would be suicidal since they are close to the threshold as it is. Not only would the splinter risk getting zero seats, but it might bring the rest of Yahadut ha-Torah below the four seat minimum.
4. Any decline in hareidi political support in the next knesseet will be understood by most Israelis as indicating that the hareidi voters no longer support the rabbanim, and are anxious for the government to continue their efforts to integratge the hareidi community into the zionist mainstream (i.e. conscription, forcing hareidi children to attend zionist schools, etc.).
Talmidei Chachomim Marbe Sholem. Does this failure have anything to do with personal koved?
It’s not so much about Kavod, but about control. In the 80’s and early 90’s there was a big struggle between the Steipeler and the Gerer Rebbe in how to vote, and more specifically what to write in Hamodia as Daas Torah. I do not remember what the issues were…
#1
SHAS Mosdos teach the core curriculum & Yishai party (as many Hardalniks) only advocates specific military assignments if ONE is not learning.
UTJ needs to Integrate WORKING Charedim & Sefardic Charedim to its camp & expand its limited political agenda.
there should be no “chareidim” in the knesset whatsoever, stop giving kashrus to this tumah.
Could you imagine if there was one united frum party with 20 seats. Has to be Moshiachs time. Halivay
Hard to accept the fact that frum people cannot get together if they have so much to gain. There is so much common ground.
#4 – The original (as in 1949) plan by the hilonim would have required hareidim to attend zionist schools, with Torah limited to after-hours schools (if allowed at all). “Core” curriculum is not a horrible threa, but only a first step. Closing down yeshivos is the real threat.
G-d forbid their should be Achdus, something good will come of it. We can’t have that now, can we!
MDshweks, you’re right, it is control. Each one want to get the biggest piece of the pie for their own respective group and the power that comes with it. What they don’t realize is how much better off we would all be if their was unity and not just among Chareidim.
People should be able to disagree on issues agreeably and still work together for the greater good, especially when the foundations are the same.
I know, I’m dreaming!