Rabbis Urge Votes for Major Parties, Warn Against Wasted Votes for Right
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
More than 100 prominent Religious Zionist rabbis issued a letter advising against voting for small parties that may not pass the electoral threshold, to prevent wasted votes for the right-wing bloc. The letter was published after meetings between party leader Ofer Winter and senior rabbis, and after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also expressed concerns about the potential impact on the right. The "Am Israel" party responded that it is running to strengthen the right, and that ultimately the people will decide.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Over 100 Religious Zionist rabbis urged voters to support parties certain to pass the electoral threshold.
- The rabbis warned that votes for small parties could harm the right-wing bloc's chances.
- Ofer Winter's "Am Israel" party was a focus of the rabbis' concern.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also voiced concerns to rabbis about vote distribution.
- The "Am Israel" party stated that their participation is crucial for a right-wing victory.
Over 100 prominent Religious Zionist rabbis have published a letter urging voters not to cast ballots for parties unlikely to pass the electoral threshold, fearing a loss of votes for the right-wing bloc. The letter's publication was delayed after Ofer Winter, leader of the "Am Israel" party, requested to speak with its representatives. Ultimately, the letter was published, signed by 114 rabbis, without explicitly naming any specific party.
Winter met with three senior rabbis: Yaakov Shapira, head of Mercaz HaRav Yeshiva; Shmuel Eliyahu, Chief Rabbi of Safed; and Rabbi Eitan Izman. The meeting took place at the home of Rabbi Eliyahu's father, the late Sephardic Chief Rabbi. Following these discussions, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu contacted three of the rabbis to express concerns that parties failing to enter the Knesset could jeopardize the right-wing's ability to form a government.
Despite these conversations, the rabbis proceeded with publishing their letter, which calls to "vote only for parties that will undoubtedly pass the electoral threshold." They emphasized the matter involves "the lives of the nation."
In response, the "Am Israel" party stated, "It was clarified to the rabbis in the joint conversation that we are running with all our might for the sake of the people of Israel, to bring new spirit to Israeli politics and with the aim of winning for the right, as it is clear to any thinking person that without Am Israel, the right loses. Therefore, they will act as they see fit. Winter respects the rabbis, but only the people of Israel determine its future."
