The rabbis who attended a secret meeting late one night this week were asked by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu not to reveal the context of the discussion that took place. In addition to the rabbonim, Bayit Yehudi leader Naftali Bennett was present as was Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked.

The meeting was held late Monday night the eve of 6 Kislev in the Prime Minister’s Office, and the rabbonim invited are members of the dati leumi community including Rabbi David Stav (Tzohar/Chief Rabbi of Shoham), Rabbi David Dudkevitz and Rabbi Elyakim Levanon (Chief Rabbi of the Shomron and Elon Moreh Hesder Yeshiva and Mora D’asra of that community).

Kol Yehudi interviewed Rabbi Stav in the hope of learning something about the meeting. Rabbi Stav would not reveal anything, explaining “I will not interview because it will bore you. We decided not to speak about anything of importance during the meeting. The Prime Minister invites so we come to listen”.

Kol Yehudi:

We do not believe the meeting was held late at night, in secret coincidentally but there must be more to it.

Rav Stav:

When the Prime Minister meets and discusses things with you and asks they remain in confidence, it is his privilege.

It is also reported that Rabbi Tzefanya Drori and Rabbi Shlomo Aviner were invited but did not attend. No explanation was given as to why.

Kol Yehudi spoke with Mrs. Daniella Weiss, who has been an activist in the settlement movement since its inception. She is angered over the fact the rabbonim are unwilling to reveal anything pertaining to the meeting, stating it is also conspicuous that the elder of the dati leumi rabbonim, Rabbi Dov Lior, was not invited.

Regarding what appears to be a deal-in-the-works regarding Amona, Weiss explained “I don’t call this a compromise but I call it betrayal”. Her anger is not just directed at Bennet and Shaked, but Bayit Yehudi MK Betzalel Smotrich and the veteran settlement leaders including Ze’ev Chever (Zambish) and Pinchas Wallerstein.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)