Internal Strife Erupts in United Torah Judaism Party

A significant internal dispute has erupted within the ultra-Orthodox political party United Torah Judaism, just before the Jewish New Year. The conflict centers on the establishment of a new party, "Torat Chomat Yisrael," led by Meir Porush of the Shlomi Emunim faction and Elikim Stark, a representative of the Belz Hasidic dynasty. This new party will run separately from the main Gur and Vizhnitz Hasidic factions within United Torah Judaism.

A senior official from the Agudat Yisrael party, identified with the anti-Gur "central faction," sharply criticized the Gur Hasidim, accusing them of a "long, multi-year process" of dictatorial behavior and holding Agudat Yisrael "hostage to the interests of a single group." The official cited past instances, including the Jerusalem mayoral election 18 years ago and recent local elections, where Gur allegedly worked against candidates supported by the Council of Torah Sages. The official further alleged that the Secretary-General of Agudat Yisrael "stole the funds of Agudat Yisrael," contrary to a ruling by the Council of Torah Sages.

The new party's formation is seen as a turning point, with Shlomi Emunim and Machzikei Hadat factions planning to transfer their party funding to a separate, equitable account. The senior official stated that every Hasidic community will now have to choose between remaining with the historical Agudat Yisrael and obeying the Torah Sages, or aligning with a faction perceived as disregarding them.

In response, the Gur Hasidim issued a statement calling Porush's move a "final and complete separation" from Agudat Yisrael, initiating an "independent path." They claimed this process began with the formation of the 'Koach' party in local elections and continued with planned splits in cities like Ashdod and Beit Shemesh. The Gur statement asserted that the new party is "no longer subject to the movement's institutions and the authority of the Council of Torah Sages." They concluded by stating that each Hasidic community must now decide whether to remain with the historical Agudat Yisrael or join Porush's new party.