In light of the reports of a breakthrough in the crisis between Degel Hatorah and Shlomei Emunim, a senior Agudas Israel leader is attacking the agreement that was reached without consulting with and obtaining the approval from the party’s Committee of Eight.

The agreement, which is supposed to lead to a truce between Degel Hatorah and Shlomei Emunim, has encountered quite a few difficulties. The main points of the agreement will mean that the mayor of Elad, Yisrael Porush, will not run for another term, in return for which Shlomei Emunim will assume the position of deputy in Bet Shemesh and the promise to become mayor in the next term in Elad and Beit Shemesh.

It appears that none of the faction which make up Agudas Yisrael, including Shlomei Emunim, do not have the authority to enter into agreements with other political entities without receiving the approval of the Committee of Eight. A “senior” unnamed party official is quoted telling Kikar Shabbos News that “The Vaad of Eight operates with the authority of the Moetzas Gedolei Yisrael, and therefore, it is clear that any agreement signed, without advanced approval, is invalid”.

The official adds that anyone who has entered into secret agreements without consulting the vaad should take this into consideration. This means that the agreements reported earlier, pertaining to Degel Hatorah and Shlomei Emunim in Elad and Beit Shemesh, may be invalid.

The committee is composed of Deputy Ministers Yaakov Litzman (Gur) and Meir Porush (Shlomei Emunim), Agudas CEO Yosel Kopparberg, Bnei Brak Mayor Chanoch Zeibert (Gerre), Deputy Jerusalem Mayor Yossi Deutsch (Shlomei Emunim), MK Yisrael Eichler (Belz), Shmelka Halpert (Vishnitz), Yaakov Tessler (Vishnitz) and askan Reuven Breish (Belz).

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)