Porush Declares United Torah Judaism a 'Technical Bloc' to Appeal to Chabad

Member of Knesset Meir Porush has declared that the United Torah Judaism (UTJ) party functions as a "technical bloc" composed of various factions, allowing him greater latitude to act according to the directives of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Porush made this statement while signing a commitment to uphold three principles: the integrity of the Torah, the integrity of the people, and the integrity of the land, as dictated by the Rebbe.

Porush pledged to vehemently oppose any actions that harm these three areas. Specifically, he committed to defending Halakha, particularly Shabbat observance and Torah study in yeshivas and kollels, and other commandments. Regarding the integrity of the people, he vowed to oppose changes to the "Who is a Jew?" law, ensuring that only those born to a Jewish mother or converted according to Halakha are recognized as Jewish. For the integrity of the land, he committed to opposing the establishment of a Palestinian state, even in an autonomous form, and to actively promote the establishment of Jewish settlements in Judea, Samaria, and other parts of the Land of Israel. He also promised to continue facilitating the travel of Tomchei Tmimim students for their "Shnat Hakvutza" year at 770.

In his written commitment, Porush stated, "The United Torah Judaism faction, in whose name I serve as a Member of Knesset, is composed as a technical bloc of various parties, and this time I have more ability to act on the matters I commit to in my signature here." The letter concluded with a blessing for success in expanding holy boundaries and increasing Torah study until the imminent arrival of the Messiah.

Influential figures within the Chabad community have endorsed Porush's stance. Rabbi Schneur Zalman Gofin, chief influencer of the Central Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva in Kfar Chabad, and Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Walberg, an influencer in Manchester and a head of the Kfar Chabad yeshiva, both stated that UTJ is the most Haredi list that faithfully represents the Lubavitcher Rebbe's directives. Rabbi Gofin emphasized that UTJ is the Haredi list the Rebbe indicated, representing Haredi Jewry in the Land of Israel. Rabbi Walberg unequivocally stated that choosing the most Haredi list, which he identified as Agudath Yisrael (symbol 'Gimel'), is the simple instruction from the Rebbe.

Rabbi Tuvia Zilberstrom, rabbi of the Chabad neighborhood in Jerusalem, added that the natural choice for a connected Chabad follower is the most Haredi party, Agudath Yisrael (symbol 'Gimel'), which adheres to the three integrities.

In a separate interview, Porush addressed concerns about a potential split within Agudath Yisrael and the possibility of Gur Hasidim not voting in large numbers, expressing confidence that Gur Hasidim would follow the Admor's directives. He also dismissed the significance of the "Hachareidi Le'am" party led by Moti Leitner, stating he had not seen any individuals identified with his own party or Degel HaTorah associated with Leitner's party.