During an interview with Kol Berama Radio host Noam Zeigman on Sunday, Yahadut Hatorah MK Yaakov Asher said the chareidi parties hope to have a combined 17-18 seats in Knesset as was the case in the past. While Asher remains optimistic, recent polls show Yahadut Hatorah and Shas will have a combined 13-14 seats.

Asher spoke about the motzei Shabbos election event held by Degel Hatorah in the Lederman Beis Medrash in Bnei Bark, led by HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky and also attended by HaGaon HaRav Gershon Edelstein. “The atmosphere yesterday was uplifting like every time the elders of the generation led by the “Sar Hatorah” (Hagaon haRav Chaim Kanievsky) and Rosh Yeshiva Shlita (Hagaon HaRav Gershon Edelstein) gather with representatives of Degel Hatorah from all over Israel. They come to receive the bracha from those who they represent.”

He later said that Rav Kanievsky and members of the Degel Moetzas Gedolei HaTorah, may reach different cities and towns throughout the country ahead of the elections.

Regarding the establishment of a right-wing coalition, Asher said, “Likud is with us because of their interest in ruling, and since we are loyal partners to Netanyahu and do not stare at his seat, the Likud representatives are very far from us in their worldview, and Netanyahu is certainly not a member of Degel Hatorah. This is the preferred partnership but there is nothing certain that this will continue.”

Regarding chareidi votes going to non-chareidi parties, he said, “The trend of chareidim voting for other friendly parties existed in the past as well…we are facing two primary challenges; the complacency of those who do not feel the need to vote and those who decide for themselves and simply do not understand that that the only one who will care about the chareidi citizen are members of the chareidi parties.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)