Gur Hasidim Reject Split, Urge United Agudat Israel Leadership Amid Jerusalem Faction's New Party Plans

Motty Babchik, a senior figure in the Gur Hasidic dynasty, stated on Sunday that Gur will maintain its political leadership within the Agudat Israel party. This declaration comes amid initiatives by members associated with the Jerusalem Faction and other rabbis and activists to form a new political framework opposing the military conscription law for yeshiva students. Babchik emphasized, "We will continue to lead Agudat Israel," and invited the Jerusalem Faction to join, asserting that the conscription law should be passed without sanctions or quotas.

Reports indicated that the Jerusalem Faction urged Gur to consider leaving the United Torah Judaism alliance to establish a new party focused on strong opposition to regulating the status of yeshiva students. The proponents believe this could mobilize voters who currently abstain and strengthen the ultra-Orthodox representation in the Knesset.

Babchik met late Thursday night with some of the involved parties at the home of Eliyahu Goldshtoff, a Jerusalem Faction affiliate. Participants included Babchik representing Gur, the son of Rabbi Avichai Boaron, Rabbi Yitzhak Rabin, a senior rabbi in Bnei Brak and leader in the Bukharian community in Tel Aviv, Yaakov Chaim Miller from the Lelov Hasidic group, and other activists. Babchik rejected the idea of a split and proposed supporting United Torah Judaism, citing fundamental agreement on opposing yeshiva conscription.

This meeting underscores ongoing tensions within the ultra-Orthodox political camp over how best to respond to the conscription law, with Gur advocating unity and the Jerusalem Faction pushing for a more hardline, independent political approach.