Ultra-Orthodox Parties Rally Ahead of Elections, Urge High Voter Turnout
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
United Torah Judaism launched pre-election rallies across Israel, urging high voter turnout among the ultra-Orthodox public. Chairman Yaakov Asher stressed voting as a core tenet, while MK Yitzchak Pindrus warned of an existential threat to the community's education and way of life. Leaders in Beitar Illit highlighted the link between national representation and local development, and urged votes for list 'Gimel'. Moshe Gafni emphasized following rabbinical guidance over personal judgment in this critical election.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- United Torah Judaism leaders urged high voter turnout among the ultra-Orthodox public in pre-election rallies.
- Chairman Yaakov Asher stated that voting is ingrained in the ultra-Orthodox community's DNA.
- MK Yitzchak Pindrus described the election as a "frontal and open war" for the ultra-Orthodox way of life.
- Leaders emphasized the need for strong national representation to secure government funding for religious institutions.
- Moshe Gafni stressed adherence to rabbinical directives over personal considerations in the election.
- The party is rallying supporters in Bnei Brak and Beitar Illit with less than four weeks until the election.
With less than four weeks until the general election, Israel's United Torah Judaism party has launched a series of rallies across the country to mobilize its supporters. On Sunday, the Degel HaTorah faction held a rally in Bnei Brak attended by party leaders and activists, including Chairman Yaakov Asher and Moshe Gafni, alongside Members of Knesset Yitzchak Pindrus, and designated MKs Rosenthal and Wisfish. Concurrently, the Agudat Yisrael faction, represented by MK Meir Porush and designated MK Elimerik Stark, held a preparatory meeting in Beitar Illit.
Addressing the Bnei Brak gathering, Yaakov Asher emphasized the imperative for the ultra-Orthodox public to vote, stating, "There is no such thing as the Torah public not going to vote. We grew up with this in our DNA." He strongly criticized covert campaigns within the community discouraging voting, attributing them to various motives, some ostensibly religious and others less so. Asher also highlighted the potential impact of even a single additional mandate on the coalition's ability to address issues, lamenting that those who abstain from voting later seek influence.
MK Yitzchak Pindrus described the situation as dire, arguing that the success and growth of the ultra-Orthodox public and its educational institutions have paradoxically led to increased opposition. He stated that the current struggle is not merely about budgets or positions but a "frontal and open war for the very existence of the ultra-Orthodox public, ultra-Orthodox education, and the yeshiva world in Israel."
In Beitar Illit, MK Meir Porush linked local development to national representation, explaining that municipal projects like synagogues and schools depend on strong national representation to navigate government ministries. Designated MK Elimerik Stark presented Beitar Illit as a model of successful Haredi governance, emphasizing unity and effective service delivery. Mayor Meir Rubinstein urged high voter turnout, framing the election as "fateful" and crucial for protecting the Torah world, instructing supporters to vote for list 'Gimel' as per rabbinical guidance.
During a separate meeting for Degel HaTorah representatives in the yeshiva world, Yaakov Asher revealed that negotiations with Agudat Yisrael were difficult, with Degel HaTorah initially preferring to run independently. Moshe Gafni stressed the importance of adhering to rabbinical directives over personal considerations, particularly when the future of Torah study is at stake. The discussion was met with emotional praise from moderator Aba Turetzky, who remarked that it reflected the spirit advocated by Rabbi Shach decades prior.
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