Smotrich Secures Broad Support From Prominent "Line" Yeshivas
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Minister Bezalel Smotrich has secured the backing of the majority of "line" stream religious Zionist yeshivas, significantly outpacing the Noam party in garnering rabbinical and institutional support. Prominent rabbis and institutions have publicly endorsed Smotrich, participating in his events and campaigns. Noam, conversely, is struggling to rally even its closest allies within the religious Zionist community. This alignment suggests a strong base of support for Smotrich's Religious Zionism party among key figures in the "line" stream.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Minister Bezalel Smotrich has gained the support of most "line" stream religious Zionist yeshivas.
- Key rabbis and institutions have publicly endorsed Smotrich, participating in his events.
- The Noam party is struggling to attract support even from its closest rabbinical allies.
- Prominent yeshivas like Shv Hebron, Ma'ale Eliyahu, and Ramat Gan are backing Smotrich.
- Several smaller yeshivas, including Har HaMor, have aligned with the Noam party.
- Smotrich's strength is attributed to widespread endorsement from central "line" stream rabbis.
An analysis of religious institutions and rabbis reveals that Minister Bezalel Smotrich has garnered significant support from the "line" stream of religious Zionism, outcompeting the smaller Noam party. Key figures and institutions within this stream are aligning with Smotrich's Religious Zionism party, while Noam struggles to attract even its closest rabbinical allies.
Several prominent "line" yeshivas, including those headed by Rabbis Hananiel Etrog, Chaim Gantz, and Yehoshua Shapira, have fully endorsed Smotrich. These institutions collectively house approximately 283 students in their first year. Yeshivat Brochin, led by Rabbi Chaim Baruch, and its branches, with 173 first-year students, also fully support Smotrich, with Rabbi Baruch participating in Smotrich's events and receiving assistance in establishing a branch.
Further bolstering Smotrich's standing, Rabbi Rafi Peretz, president of Atzmon Institutions, released a video praising Smotrich and is scheduled to participate in a Religious Zionism party event. Rabbi Chen Halmish, Rosh Yeshiva for Military Graduates at Beit Orot, and Rabbi Ariel Sharshavsky, Rosh Yeshiva of Yokneam, are also among the prominent rabbis and institutions backing Smotrich. The article notes that Yokneam is a branch of Yeshivat Shv Hebron, whose Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Hananiel Etrog, is a key supporter of Smotrich.
In contrast, the Noam party is facing difficulties in mobilizing support, failing to attract even rabbis closely associated with them. The article highlights the absence of prominent rabbis like Haggai Lundin and leaders of yeshivas such as Yaakov Feigenbaum and Yossi Rodriguez from Noam's events and support letters. Even rabbis from institutions like Shv Hebron and Sderot Yeshiva, where some instructors are active in Noam, are reportedly leaning towards Smotrich.
While some smaller yeshivas, including Har HaMor, Mitzpe Ramon, Olga, and Ateret Cohanim, have expressed support for Noam, the broader landscape shows a clear advantage for Smotrich. The article concludes that Smotrich's strength stems from the widespread endorsement of central rabbis in the "line" stream, with many institutions and their graduates actively participating in his events and campaigns.
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