Degel HaTorah Demands Majority of Top Slots and Lead for Uri Maklev in Joint List Talks with Agudat Yisrael

Ahead of the upcoming Knesset elections, the ultra-Orthodox parties Degel HaTorah and Agudat Yisrael are set to hold their first negotiation meeting on Wednesday evening to discuss a potential joint electoral list. The meeting will take place at Degel HaTorah's offices in Bnei Brak and marks the official start of talks between the two parties.

Degel HaTorah is expected to demand five of the top eight spots on the joint list, as well as the first position for Member of Knesset Uri Maklev ahead of Meir Porush from Agudat Yisrael. These demands will be central to discussions on the list's composition and the distribution of power between the parties.

Representing Agudat Yisrael in the negotiations will be Israel Dranger, a member of the Gur Hasidic sect who replaces Hanokh Zeibert, alongside MK Meir Porush, who also represents Shlomei Emunim and Belz. Degel HaTorah's negotiating team includes faction secretary Moshe Shifman and Bnei Brak Deputy Mayor Menachem Shapira, who manages Degel HaTorah's municipal department.

The talks aim to resolve key issues regarding the continuation of the joint run, the list's structure, and the allocation of positions ahead of the elections.