GUR's Election Boycott Threat, Porush's Primary Bombshell, and Poll Shakes Dominate Haredi Politics
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
With 12 days until elections, the Gur Hasidic dynasty's potential boycott and MK Meir Porush's call for Haredi party primaries are creating significant political stir. Analysts are dissecting these developments, alongside Shas's campaign momentum, which is tempered by the threat of the 'Achie' party. The 'HaTzibur HaHaredi' party faces a sharp decline in polls, raising questions about its electoral viability.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- The Gur Hasidic dynasty may boycott upcoming elections or vote for 'Tzeva Shachor' party.
- MK Meir Porush declared support for primary elections within Haredi parties.
- Shas party's campaign is energized by Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's legacy but threatened by 'Achie' party.
- The 'HaTzibur HaHaredi' party has experienced a significant drop in recent polls.
- Faction chairman Yitzhak Goldknopf is expected to secure a Knesset seat regardless of Gur's actions.
With 12 days until the upcoming elections, a significant concern is gripping the Haredi street and the right-wing bloc: the possibility that the Gur Hasidic dynasty will boycott the elections or protest by voting for the 'Tzeva Shachor' party. Analysts are examining past grievances and internal disputes within Gur concerning their partners in 'Shlomei Emunim' and 'Degel HaTorah.' This comes despite the paradox that faction chairman Yitzhak Goldknopf is almost guaranteed a Knesset seat in the next term regardless of the outcome. Panelists debated whether this is merely a warning signal or if the Admor of Gur will ultimately instruct his followers to vote for 'United Torah Judaism.'
Adding to the political drama, MK Meir Porush declared his support for primary elections within Haredi parties, calling it "the best and most important thing." This statement has sparked debate among commentators regarding his intentions, with some viewing it as a calculated election tactic to attract disgruntled voters, while others see it as a strategic move that could reshape Haredi politics. The feasibility of such a democratic shift within Haredi parties, and whether the leadership and prominent rabbis would approve, remains a key question.
The Shas party's election campaign is currently energized by the recent "Yom Hillula" week commemorating Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, which has boosted their standing in polls and highlighted the electoral power of his legacy. However, Shas faces an internal threat from the 'Achie' party, which is poised to draw critical votes from the traditional right-wing segment of the electorate, potentially impacting Shas's overall results.
Finally, the panel discussed the precarious situation of the 'HaTzibur HaHaredi' party, which has seen a dramatic drop in the latest 'Channel 12' poll. The discussion focused on whether this signifies the end of the party's political journey before the elections even begin, or if there's a latent potential to garner tens of thousands of votes from various segments of the Haredi sector and surprise on election day.
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