Jerusalem Faction's Bid to Split United Torah Judaism Rejected by Gur Hasidim

The Jerusalem Faction proposed that the Gur Hasidic group break away from United Torah Judaism (UTJ) to form a new party with a hardline stance against the conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jews. This move aimed to gain an additional Knesset seat from voters who currently do not participate in elections. However, Moti Babchik, a senior figure in the Gur Hasidic community and aide to UTJ chairman Yitzhak Goldknopf, met with representatives of the Jerusalem Faction late Thursday night and declined the proposal. Babchik suggested instead that they support UTJ, which already opposes ultra-Orthodox conscription.

The meeting at the home of Jerusalem Faction member Eliyahu Goldshtof included various rabbis and activists from different ultra-Orthodox communities, such as the Sephardic Buaron family, Rabbi Yitzhak Rabin from Bnei Brak, and Yaakov Chaim Miller from the Lelov Hasidic group. Meanwhile, reports in the ultra-Orthodox media indicated that UTJ plans to run in the upcoming elections as a technical bloc only, with Degel HaTorah leader Moshe Gafni expected to split from Agudat Yisrael, led by Goldknopf, immediately after the vote.

This internal political maneuvering occurs amid broader concerns about ultra-Orthodox influence within the Likud party. Thousands of Hasidim have joined Likud, creating a new power base that could affect party primaries and government policy. Following a report by Dafna Liel, Likud's ultra-Orthodox head Yaakov Wider sent an urgent letter to Prime Minister Netanyahu demanding an investigation into attempts by activists from other parties to take over Likud. The ultra-Orthodox faction in Likud now numbers about 7,000 members out of 140,000 total, with significant organization across major Hasidic groups including Karlin, Vizhnitz, Belz, and Gur, supported by figures like Babchik.

This strategic shift reflects the ultra-Orthodox community's recognition that real influence over budgets and policy is achieved through the ruling party, especially as some ultra-Orthodox parties find themselves in opposition.