Ultra-Orthodox Parties Submit Knesset Lists Amid Internal Divisions

The deadline for submitting party lists for the upcoming 26th Knesset elections has passed, marking a significant step in the electoral process. United Torah Judaism, a major ultra-Orthodox party, submitted its list on Tuesday evening. The party's new chairman, MK Yaakov Asher, stated that the party is embarking on a new path with a "great mission and heavy responsibility to faithfully represent the world of Torah and the Haredi public, and to act with all our might for the preservation of the world of Torah, strengthening the status of faithful Judaism, and caring for all the needs of the Haredi public." He added, "We are going into this campaign with faith and confidence, out of unity, responsibility, and determination, and with God's help, we will succeed."

However, the submission revealed internal divisions within the party. Previously, factions led by Meir Porush and Eliyahu Stark had submitted separate lists. Consequently, United Torah Judaism now effectively comprises three distinct political entities: Degel HaTorah, Agudat Yisrael, and Chomat Torat Yisrael. The party's ballot symbol will be 'Gimel'.

The submitted list includes: Yaakov Asher (Degel HaTorah) Yitzhak Goldknopf (Agudat Yisrael) Yitzhak Pindrus (Degel HaTorah) Meir Porush (Chomat Torat Yisrael) Moshe Rosenthal (Degel HaTorah) Eliyahu Stark (Chomat Torat Yisrael) Yehuda Weissfish (Degel HaTorah) Yaakov Tessler (Agudat Yisrael) David Ohana (Degel HaTorah) Eliyahu Brochi (Degel HaTorah)