Senior Agudat Yisrael Leaders Reject Gur Representation, Explore Technical Bloc Options
Ahead of the upcoming Israeli elections, tensions have escalated within the ultra-Orthodox political factions, particularly between Agudat Yisrael and Degel HaTorah. While Degel HaTorah faces internal disputes among rabbinic courts and representatives, senior figures from the Shlomei Emunim faction and the Belz and Sanz Hasidic groups within Agudat Yisrael have publicly declared that the Gur Hasidic faction does not represent them and that there are no ongoing negotiations with Degel HaTorah. These leaders accuse Gur of acting without their consent and reveal they are exploring the possibility of running as a technical bloc with another party instead of joining Degel HaTorah.
The friction intensified following a rare Degel HaTorah meeting in Bnei Brak, which included a representative close to Rabbi Dov Lando, angering the camp of Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch, who felt excluded from decision-making. Meanwhile, within Agudat Yisrael, the negotiations for a joint run with Degel HaTorah are managed by Bnei Brak Mayor Hanoch Zeibert and Degel’s financial official Moshe Shipman, but senior leaders from Shlomei Emunim and Belz reject these talks.
One senior Hasidic leader disclosed that they have begun informal contacts with the Noam party, which is expected to ally with Rabbi Abergil’s faction, viewing this as a more natural partnership. This move is partly strategic to avoid being pressured at the last minute and to maintain leverage in coalition talks. Additionally, despite a previous agreement transferring the traditionally Gur-held fifth slot on the Agudat Yisrael list to Sanz, influential Agudat Yisrael figure Moti Babchik is reportedly pushing to restore this position to Gur, aiming to secure a second Knesset seat for the faction.
With the Knesset candidate lists due to close in about two weeks, significant gaps remain to be bridged for a unified run, and time is running short. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing developments expected as the parties negotiate their electoral strategies.
