A new political movement called Ahy has been announced ahead of the next Knesset election, and its leaders say it aims to protect Israel’s right-wing bloc. The initiative comes from tens of thousands of followers of the late Rabbi Yoram Abergel, organized through the “Committee of Rabbi Abergel’s Students,” and is expected to challenge Shas for the traditional and religious vote.
The party will be led by Rabbi Yuval Elimelech, 53, who manages Abergel’s educational institutions in Netivot. Organizers say the party is meant for voters who feel unrepresented by existing parties, especially traditional Jews, religious voters, periphery residents, and other communities tied to Sephardi Torah circles.
At an event held Monday evening at Rabbi Abergel’s gravesite in Netivot, Elimelech said, “In the current situation, there are those who do not find their place and feel that no party represents them, we will be their home.” He added that Ahy will be “a home of love of Israel and Jewish identity,” with education of children as a top priority.
Elimelech also said the movement brings together “all the tribes of Israel,” including “Torah scholars alongside soldiers” and “yeshiva students alongside working people.” He said Ahy aims to be “the right bridge to preserve the right-wing bloc.” Further details about the rest of the slate and the rabbis backing the effort are expected later, and the key question is whether the new party can turn its grassroots strength into real electoral power against Shas.
