Haredi Faction Leader Slams Rival Over Funds, Explains Split

The chairman of Shlomei Emunim, a Haredi political faction, has broken his silence regarding the recent split within the United Torah Judaism (UTJ) alliance. He explained that his faction, along with the Belz Hasidic group, formed a separate bloc named "Chomat Torat Yisrael" because of financial irregularities.

"What happened with the funds is something that should not be done," stated the chairman, identified as the head of Shlomei Emunim. He asserted that he could no longer remain silent, especially given the outcry from their representatives on the ground. "Even if I wanted to be silent about it, and I don't, the outcry of our representatives in the field obligated me to act."

The move signifies a significant internal rift within the UTJ, a political party representing Ashkenazi Haredi Jews in Israel. The split centers on disagreements over financial management and the allocation of resources, leading to the formation of a distinct faction that will likely operate independently in future political endeavors.