On Rosh Chodesh Teves, 28 December, the lists for the general election for the 18th Knesset must be closed and on that day, the lists of all the parties, including the chareidim, will be known to all.
At present, it appears absolutely nothing was learned from the failure in the Jerusalem mayoral race and at present, the number of opinions and points of view in United Torah Judaism is far greater than the number of MKs from either faction, Agudah and Degel HaTorah.
Degel may run independently, this has not been ruled out, but even more amazing is the talk that Degel may run on a joint list with Shas. According to some reports, Maran Rav Aryeh Yehuda Leib Shteinman Shlita is involved in the decision-making process. At present, it is reported that Rav Shteinman Shlita is most displeased with the current UTJ realities and prefers Degel running alone than under the present formula of the combined Degel Agudah ticket.
A senior Shas official who is very close to party leader Eli Yishai confirms hearing rumors of Degel exhibiting an interest in joining the Shas ticket, stating such a move must be considered if the rumors are correct.
The Gerre response is one reminding Degel that a number of years ago Gur posed the possibility of joining Shas technically, for the purpose of elections to gain additional seats, but Degel was adamantly opposed and scoffed the possibility of such an agreement. Now, Degel is investigating such a possibility. If it actualizes, we wish them much success.
Shlomei Emunim, the faction headed by Meir Porush, released a statement that Meir Porush views “Shlomei Emunim as his home and one does not abandon one’s home. In the event the house is destroyed, meaning the party fails to earn enough votes for the minimum three seats in Knesset, then one begins to seek a new home. If however Degel does go with Shas, Shlomei Emunim’s position in Agudah will become significantly more prominent and then, we will demand representation in Hamodia despite the fact the new chareidi newspaper HaMevaser is scheduled to go live in the coming days. We may demand a continued presence on the Council of Torah Sages and perhaps, even the first slot. Everything will be addressed when it becomes relevant based on current realities.”
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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17 Responses
Compared to the the differences with the secular parties, the difference between Shas and the two Ashkenazi haredi parties are negligible. If they ran as one list they would be the second or third largest block in the knesset, and in striking distance of someday winning a election rather than being a minor party reduced to begging for crumbs.
ACHDUS and only ACHDUS will save us.
Boruch Hashem they will never iron out their differences, so that the country will not turn into a Third (or even a Fourth) Word country.
#3 – actually, once they realize that there is a chance of winning, and establishing a Jewish state and making peace with the goyim (which is easier for us since we don’t feel a need to force the Arabs to adopt secular culture, unlike the hilonim)
they will unite. Shas is clearly moving in this direction. The Ashkenazim are still traumatized by the De Haan assassination (when the hilonim thwarted an agreement between the hareidim and the goyim), but they’ll come around.
As it is called the CIRCUS of Israeli politics in full swing.
“more amazing is the talk that Degel may run on a joint list with Shas”.- when the water freezes over in Hawaii, this will occur.
its sad that the ashkenazim arent getting along right before elections… first jerusalem now this… its a shame
I don’t get it.
We may demand a continued presence on the Council of Torah Sages and perhaps, even the first slot.
So torah scholars are now elected? If you have more votes your are a greater tzaddik? You have greater Daas Torah if you are a better politician?
Its no wonder the chilonim are laughing at us. Were doing it to ourselves.
I’m embarrassed for the Hareidi world! We are supposed to teach/live achdus yet nothing is further from the reality of politics; and if the politicians can’t put on a public show of achdus what hope is there for the simple man in the street?
The chances of Shas and Degel forming a combined ticket are negligible – mainly because Shas does well by itself, and won’t put up with Degel’s demands.
Personally, if they don’t sort themselves out soon, I’m thinking of voting elsewhere for the first time.
#8 – the real difference between Shas and Degel (actually all Ashkenazi hareidi groups), is that Shas thinks that it can someday, soon, start winning elections (i.e. elect a prime minister), whereas the Ashkenazim think it is hopeless and therefore are only concerned with getting enough “crumbs” (patronage, projects, etc.) to survive until meshiach comes. They have different perspectives on Israeli society – to compare to a ship, Shas wants to stage a mutiny whereas the Ashkenazi parties want to get on the life boats.
ny100k
“We may demand a continued presence on the Council of Torah Sages and perhaps, even the first slot”
… on the Knesset list. – Obvious, really!!!
Maybe it’s better for them to go separate and not argue, than to be lumped together and be constantly bickering.
At the end of the day, everyone votes (or doesn’t) according to his Rov or Rebbe or Rosh Yeshiva’s instuction.
It is hard to understand how Gimmel consistently earns 6 seats in the Knesset when the number of frum Jews in Eretz Israel is obviously increasing in proportions greater than other groups. Admittedly, a good many of the new haredim are dati leumi, Sephardi, or influenced by rebbes not under the umbrella of Gimmel. Some may be more concerned with security issues which have traditionally not been addressed by the haredi parties. Perhaps it is time for Agudah and Degel HaTorah to address such issues in order to assure religious voters that Daas HaTorah is truly engaged in all important issues in Israel.
Have Degel forgotton their postion during the Rabbinical elections when they wouldn’t support Shas candidites becuase Rav Ovadia and his son are major supporters of the Heter Mechira. What has changed?
Porush seems to be growing more arrogant from day to day. Amazing for a loser to become arrogant. He wants a slot on the Moetzes? Let him take Rav Shteinman’s seat since he seems to be ready to sit with Rav Ovadia Yosef. Or will he not? Rav Yosef would allow an Aschkenazi on the Sfardi moetzes? Wow this is becoming more interesting than Illinois and New York combined. Maybe Porush wants to take Clinton’s Senate seat? Or will he come out supporting Caroline Kennedy? What strange bedfellows politics makes.
Best for shalom bayis for the two groups to split, seperate and equal.
The losers will be the voters since less seats will be acquired in the knesset, where the power is needed.
“…We may demand a continued presence on the Council of Torah Sages and perhaps, even the first slot…”
WHAT’S THIS???
Are our Gedolei Torah nothing more than political footballs?–this is a BizaYon HaTorah.
#15 Can see that you do not know how coalitions and partnerships evolve in the world of politics.
deepthinker,
you don’t live up to your name! see post 10.