Ultra-Orthodox Parties Finalize Knesset Lists Amid Internal Disputes

Ultra-Orthodox political parties are finalizing their lists for the upcoming 26th Knesset elections, with several internal disputes and new additions shaping the slates. The Council of Torah Sages has signed off on the Shas party's list, which includes all incumbent Knesset members and two new faces: reserve Lieutenant Colonel Dror Amos and Yossi Elnatanov. The list is set to be submitted to the Election Committee today.

Agudat Yisrael is experiencing significant turmoil, with reports of a major rift during a council meeting over the party's Knesset list. Representatives from the Gur Hasidic faction reportedly demanded the removal of Moshe Shimon Roth from the fifth position, an act described by some as a "desecration of a member of the Council of Torah Sages." In a related development, the Belz Hasidic faction is reportedly replacing MK Israel Eichler with Alikim Stark, though Eichler will remain chairman of the Movement for Preserving the Faith.

Further internal party matters include the appointment of 14 new members to the Agudat Yisrael institutions, expanding representation across the country. In a historic move for ultra-Orthodox politics, the 'Religious Public' party has added senior researcher Dr. Nechumi Yaffe to its list, marking the first time an ultra-Orthodox party has included a woman.

Meanwhile, the Degel HaTorah newspaper published a sharp editorial criticizing Knesset aides, calling their actions a "stab in the back" and announcing that from the next term, all parliamentary aide appointments will require approval from the movement's Rabbinical Committee. The newspaper claims this article was reviewed and approved by senior rabbis.