Degel Hatorah chairman MK Moshe Gafne explains his party is willing to run together with Agudas Yisrael in the next Knesset election providing Agudah is willing to cut the number of representatives it currently holds so that the majority of in Yahadut Hatorah would rest with Degel and not Agudah, as it has been until now.

At present, Degel MKs are Gafne, Uri Maklev and Yaakov Asher. Agudas Yisrael on the other hand has four MKs, Meir Porush, Yaakov Litzman, Yisrael Eichler and Menachem Eliezer Moses. Gafne feels that today, in light of Degel’s victories in Jerusalem and elsewhere, Agudas Yisrael is no longer entitled to have the majority representation in the combined party, but now, it must shift from the chassidim to the litvish camp.

Speaking with Galei Tzahal (Army Radio), Gafne explained this is what must occur if Agudas Yisrael wishes to run together again under the joint Yahadut Hatorah banner. He explains how Degel ran without Agudah in Yerushalayim and received six mandates on the city council.

Regarding speculation that Degel will run with Shas, Gafne explained earlier in the week that while he favors achdus, Shas receives votes from a broad constituency and joining with Degel might jeopardize this and both are unwilling to create such a reality.

Going back to the party’s future with Agudas Yisrael, he remains adamant that the only way they can run together is if Degel has the majority, citing Degel has proven itself in other areas too, including Petach Tikvah and Ashdod, where the party doubled itself. Hence, he is willing to continue running under the joint banner, but the division of seats will have to change, so the ball remains in Agudas’ court to decide if such a reality is acceptable.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)