Agudat Yisrael Knesset List Vote Explodes Over Candidate's Ouster

A crucial meeting of the Agudat Yisrael party council in Bnei Brak erupted in chaos Monday evening during the vote to finalize the party's slate for the 26th Knesset. The session was abruptly halted without a vote on the fifth position after representatives from the Gur Hasidic dynasty demanded the removal of MK Moshe Shimon Rot, who represents the Sanz Hasidic community.

The dispute stems from Rot's refusal to commit to voting in the Knesset according to Gur's central directives in all matters. Rot had previously followed the instructions of the Sanz Rebbe in several Knesset votes, leading to the demand for his removal. Sources within Agudat Yisrael told "Kikar HaShabbat" that this demand was a condition for finalizing the party's list and its agreement with the Degel HaTorah party.

Rot, who was present at the meeting, expressed shock at the demand for his ouster. A senior Agudat Yisrael official condemned the move, calling it a "desecration of a member of the Council of Torah Sages" and vowing not to remain silent. The internal tensions and power struggles within Agudat Yisrael are intensifying as the party races to complete its Knesset list and approve its agreement with Degel HaTorah.

During the tumultuous meeting, MK Meir Porush of the Agudat Yisrael faction "Shlomei Emunim" criticized the party's internal disunity and its negotiations with Degel HaTorah. Porush stated that Agudat Yisrael has been weakened in negotiations and warned that the party's representation in the Knesset plenum could diminish significantly if the "Norwegian Law" is invoked after taking government positions.

In parallel to the controversy, Porush's "Shlomei Emunim" faction appointed 14 new members to Agudat Yisrael institutions, a move approved by the party's national council. These new appointees represent various communities within Agudat Yisrael across Israel.