Knesset opposition leader MK (Labor) Yitzchak Herzog met with the Belzer Rebbe Shlita on motzei Shabbos Parshas Shelach in the rebbe’s home in Yerushalayim. Herzog was escorted by philanthropist Yitzchak Shapira from London and HaRav HaGaon Avraham Dirnfeld, Rav Kehillos Belze in Tel Aviv.

The official reason for the reason given to the media is that Herzog wished to extend his mazel tov wishes to the rebbe on the chasenah of his grandchild about two weeks ago. However it is reported Herzog and the rebbe spoke privately for a relatively long period of time. MK Yisrael Eichler, the rebbe’s representative in Knesset, played a role in setting up the meeting. He did not take party in the meeting however to avoid leading to tensions in the coalition and with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

Officials in Herzog’s office declined a request to detail the purpose of the meeting or to discuss the content of the private session between the party leader and the rebbe.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)