Gerrer Rebbe to Join Call to Vote for United Torah Judaism

With ten days remaining until the elections, Lithuanian rabbis and Hasidic leaders are urging voters to cast their ballots for United Torah Judaism (UTJ), warning against "throwing votes away by voting for another list." The "Hachzikh Ha'charedi" party, which advocates for the integration of Haredim into military service and employment, claims to be "gaining momentum and approaching the electoral threshold."

In the Belz Hasidic community, the second-largest in Israel, an announcement was made by the Rebbe and his followers to vote for UTJ. Rabbi Shimon Wolf Klein, a gabbai for the Rebbe, was present at a gathering of prominent Lithuanian rabbis and yeshiva deans led by Rabbi Landu. Rabbi Landu stated, "We all know well that our duty to strive is clear, and indeed the duty is doubled to bring voters to list G'. Heaven forbid we be drawn into desecration of God's name if for various reasons or claims people shirk the duty to vote, or worse, vote for parties where the value of Torah is not the sole value without them. Every vote counts, every vote is decisive. Every vote for these parties causes the next generation to distance itself from the heritage of their fathers."

A statement is expected tomorrow morning from the Rebbe of Ger, the largest Hasidic group, also calling to vote for UTJ. Until now, the Ger Hasidim had refrained from joining the campaign.

The "Hachzikh Ha'charedi" party held a rally in Jerusalem with over a thousand activists. Party chairman Moti Leitner presented the party's platform, which encourages employment and army enlistment for Haredim whose primary occupation is not Torah study. Leitner asserted that his party represents "tens of thousands who are fed up with the rule of the thuggish, arrogant, disconnected operatives. These are tens of thousands who see our rabbis attacked... and the old leadership remains silent." He claimed that according to various polls, "a third of the young generation is with us. This is no longer a fringe idea, it is an entire public raising its head. In the last poll within the Haredi public, we are already at least 11% support, compared to only 15% for Shas, and many more are undecided. Our polls also show at least the same level of support: power worth about two mandates within the Haredi sector alone, even before the tremendous support coming from the religious and traditional public." Leitner further stated, "Votes for United Torah Judaism and Shas are votes thrown away. A vote for more of the same, a vote for preserving corrupt operatives.

Former Deputy Minister Abir Kara attended the "Hachzikh Ha'charedi" rally and spoke, urging attendees to "bring 'Zech' ballots and flood the State of Israel with Haredi potential."