Degel HaTorah Considers Running Separately From Agudat Yisrael Ahead of Israeli Elections
With less than three weeks remaining before the submission deadline for party lists in Israel's 26th Knesset elections, tensions are rising within the ultra-Orthodox alliance Yahadut HaTorah, composed of Agudat Yisrael and Degel HaTorah. Despite public appearances of unity, Degel HaTorah is seriously contemplating running independently from Agudat Yisrael, a move that could reshape the Ashkenazi Haredi political landscape.
The internal debate follows months of unresolved discussions about replacing current Knesset members within Degel HaTorah, which have stalled due to opposition from the Council of Torah Sages and difficulties in finding suitable candidates. While some new names have been proposed, including Eliezer Rauchberger and others from various communities, no significant changes are expected in the candidate list before the elections.
Meanwhile, the Hasidic factions within Agudat Yisrael are also experiencing friction, particularly between the dominant Gur faction and others like Shlomei Emunim and Belz. Attempts to launch alternative parties focusing on issues such as military conscription have not gained traction but have increased internal tensions.
A senior Degel HaTorah official explained that the main motivation for a potential split is the desire for genuine representation of their constituency, which they claim constitutes over half of Yahadut HaTorah's voter base. They also cite frustration with the ongoing military conscription debate, which they believe has been exacerbated by more extreme elements within Agudat Yisrael, leading to political deadlock they wish to avoid.
Notably, no joint meetings have taken place between the two factions regarding the upcoming elections, an unprecedented situation. The Degel HaTorah leadership has reportedly decided that if they can surpass the electoral threshold independently, they will pursue a separate run. Regardless of the election outcome, they plan to formally split into two distinct factions afterward, ending their longstanding alliance.
This development marks a significant shift in ultra-Orthodox politics, reflecting broader dissatisfaction and strategic recalculations ahead of the elections scheduled for November 1, 2022.
