New United Torah Judaism Chairman Yaakov Asher's Political Style Examined
Translated & summarized from Haaretz by baba
New United Torah Judaism Chairman Yaakov Asher is characterized as a pragmatic politician who built back channels to advance Haredi interests. Over a decade ago, Asher secretly met with then-Education Minister Shai Piron to negotiate Haredi community needs. This collaboration occurred even with Yesh Atid, a party that campaigned on equal burden sharing. The discussions took place in what was known as the "Pool Forum."
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Yaakov Asher, the new United Torah Judaism Chairman, is described as pragmatic and results-oriented.
- Asher established back channels to advance Haredi interests, even with opposing parties.
- Over a decade ago, Asher secretly met with former Education Minister Shai Piron bi-weekly.
- These meetings, known as the "Pool Forum," focused on Haredi community needs.
- Asher negotiated with Yesh Atid, a party that campaigned on equal burden sharing.
New United Torah Judaism Chairman Yaakov Asher is described as a pragmatic, results-oriented politician who established back channels to advance Haredi interests, even with parties like Yesh Atid that campaigned on equal burden sharing. During the opposition years of the Netanyahu government over a decade ago, Asher, then a junior MK, would secretly meet bi-weekly with then-Education Minister Shai Piron. From his junior position within the United Torah Judaism faction, Asher successfully negotiated deals with a representative of Yesh Atid. Sources recall Asher presenting a list of needs for the Haredi community, with him and Piron discussing what could be advanced. This channel was known as the "Pool Forum," named after a children's pool in Piron's yard, drawing a parallel to Ariel Sharon's "Farm Forum."
