Meir Porush, chairman of the Shlomei Emunim movement and a Knesset member, launched a sharp public attack on Agudat Yisrael’s central faction, which is tied to the Gur Hasidic court, over control of the party’s finances and resources. He spoke Tuesday night at a gathering of the movement’s local representatives in Beitar Illit, in remarks that pointed to deeper internal tensions ahead of a possible election period.
Porush said, “Agudat Yisrael is not the property of one group, it belongs to everyone.” He asked, “Because 50 years ago someone had 2.5 or 2.7 percent more, does that mean control stays with that person? That cannot continue.” He was referring to the historic power-sharing arrangements inside the party. Porush also recalled an arbitration process held about five years ago, saying it produced “the beginning of a change,” including limits on one group taking multiple top slots, a clarification of power between Belz and Vizhnitz, and the creation of the party’s finance committee with a duty to distribute resources jointly.
But Porush said implementation has been weak. “The decision started to be implemented, but there is laxity. I do not want to express myself more harshly,” he said, adding, “I am not willing to give this up and accept complaints from representatives.”
His main criticism focused on local branches. He said some communities have Agudat Yisrael branches while major cities such as Beitar Illit, Elad and Beit Shemesh have none. He argued that branches are needed to support local representatives, who often do not earn their living from politics and require organizational and financial backing.
The comments come amid a turbulent period in the ultra-Orthodox sector, especially over arrests of yeshiva students. In recent days Porush also sharply warned the attorney general and, together with the mayor of Beitar Illit, moved to suspend cooperation with the police. Agudat Yisrael officials declined to comment, but the dispute is expected to surface in upcoming leadership meetings.
