Yahadut Hatorah officials were all but certain that Yaakov Asher was about to enter Knesset via the so-called Norwegian Law. This law permits a minister or in this case deputy minister, Meir Porush, to resign as a Member of Knesset. By doing so he clears the way for Asher to enter in his place. This will give the Degel Hatorah litvish faction an additional seat in Knesset.
Despite Degel taking steps to appease the Shlomei Emunim faction, Porush’s faction, the deal which appeared imminent is now on hold once again. Degel worked to iron things out somewhat between Elad Mayor Sruly Porush, Deputy Minister Meir Porush’s son and his Degel Hatorah deputy mayor, Avi Stern. Degel faction leader Moshe Gafne in his capacity as chairman of the Knesset Finance Committee also worked to appease Deputy Minister Porush by pushing legislation dealing with pension rights for outgoing Knesset Members to improve the situation for those stepping down from politics.
And finally, Degel kept its promise to Shlomei Emunim by appointing Rabbi Eliezer Sorotzkin as general-manager of Chinuch Atzmai and Rabbi Avraham Schwartz, who is aligned with Porush as his deputy.
So one might question why is Porush delaying his resignation from Knesset, which will pave the way for Asher to enter Knesset. According to Kikar Shabbos news, Rabi Schwartz did not have an office and then he lacked a parking spot but this too appears to have been worked out.
It appears another internal agreement was signed between Shlomei Emunim and Degel by which there would be an even distribution of control and now, Porush feels that the appointment of Rabbi Schwartz is insufficient towards Degel meeting its contractual obligations. However, Degel officials involved in Chinuch Atzmai understand if Shlomei Emunim receives equal control, Degel will be left out in the cold and lose control over the organization. Some opine that if push comes to shove, Degel will prefer to permit Asher to remain out of Knesset and maintain control over the non-profit.
So the question remains if Yaakov Asher will enter the 20th Knesset. For now it appears if Porush remains adamant regarding equal control of Chinuch Atzmai, then in all probability Degel will reject the deal and Asher will not become a MK.
What is clear is that Yahadut Hatorah lives on the edge implosion as the chassidish and litvish factions tolerate one another on the best of days and are too often found to be at odds with one another.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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One Response
Sirs-minor correction in your headline.
Rav Asher Weiss is the gaon, tzadik, Rosh HaYeshiva, Av Bais Din, and prolific author in Yerushalayim.
This rabbi/politician is Rabbi Yaakov Asher.