The Moetzas Gedolei Yisrael of Agudas Yisrael convened on Sunday, 4 Menachem Av. The admorim had a number of items on the agenda, including demands from Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu for Yahadut Hatorah to accept funding cuts along with other coalition parties. The cuts would reduce the amount of monthly child allowance payments and money for mosdos, both guaranteed in the coalition agreement.

It is reported the eight admorim have decided the Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu must understand that coalition agreements must be honored. The admorim are unwilling to accept a cut in monthly child allowance payments or funds earmarked for yeshivos and mosdos.

Regarding the machlokes between Degel Hatorah and Agudas Yisrael regarding the single chareidi slot on the Dayanim Appointments Committee, the admorim back the candidacy of the Belze representative to Knesset, Yisrael Eichler.

Just this week YWN-ISRAEL reports Maran HaGaon HaRav Aaron Yehuda Leib Shteinman Shlita instructed Degel Hatorah to continue demanding the slot in the Dayanim Appointment Committee. Degel wants Gafne to receive the appointment.

It is reported the admorim were angered by the prime minister’s attempt to cut the child allowance payments, which he agreed to in order to form the coalition. The admorim added they do not feel comfortable compromising on money that is essential for families with many children.

Eight of the eleven admorim who comprise the Torah Council were in attendance. In attendance were the Belzer Rebbe Shlita, Slonim Rebbe Shlita, Boyan Rebbe Shlita, Biala Rebbe Shlita, Moditz Rebbe Shlita, and the Sadigura Rebbe Shlita. Also present were the four Agudas Yisrael faction MKs, Yisrael Eichler, Menachem Eliezer Moses, Yaakov Litzman and Meir Porush. The other admorim are abroad.

In a possibly related matter, Moshe Gafne met with opposition leader Yitzchak Herzog, reportedly seeking opposition support for his candidacy. Some opine the meeting was also intended to send a clear message to the prime minister, that if he makes the cuts without the chareidi party’s consent, it may spell the beginning of the end of the 20th Knesset coalition.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)