Yachad party leader Eli Yishai told the media he is pleased Rabbi Moshe Hager decided to join the party. Yishai told the media that the addition of Rav Hager brings a new flavor to the party, which now fulfills his dream of a “torani party” that encompasses different streams of religious observance. Yishai added that “finally the unwanted mechitzos have been taken down between the kippot srugot and the chareidim” and he adds he believes the achdus his party represents is authentic and unique.

Rabbi Hager, who is a colonel in the IDF reserves, released a statement “I thank Eli Yishai for permitting me to return with pride to my Torah roots while preserving Eretz Yisrael”. Rav Hager praised statements released by HaGaon HaRav Meir Mazuz Shlita regarding the greatness of Rav Kook ZT”L and the mitzvah of serving in the IDF for all those who are not committed to limud Torah. “This represents a true change regarding Yachad Shivtei Yisrael” explained Rav Hager, who heads a Mechina yeshiva in Yatir.

Yishai stressed “anyone who believes Yachad will be a Shas 2 is mistaken. Now it is clear that we are a different torani party that represents all of Amcha Yisrael; chareidi, religious, non-religious and those who are traditional”.

Party member Yoni Chetboun lauded the addition of Rabbi Hager as “a historic move that will receive the backing of many rabbis and roshei yeshivot”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)