JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Just weeks before the deadline for submitting Knesset lists, the two factions of UTJ – Degel and Aguda – show no signs of reaching an agreement both on a list of candidates and on ideological unity.
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A meeting which was supposed to take place Thursday to discuss a joint list was cancelled after Degel refused to discuss the list until the demands of Rabbi Gershon Edelstein are met. Rabbi Edelstein insists that Belz not join a new program in conjunction with the Education Ministry, which could lead to ministerial intervention in curriculums.
Agudas Yisrael responded by stating that “Degel Hatorah have seemingly decided to run alone and we too are preparing for such an eventuality. We are looking for new types of voters who will enable us to pass the electoral threshold.”
Degel Hatorah leaders stated that “this is not our decision, we didn’t have a say in it, this is a decision by the Rosh Yeshiva [Rabbi Edelstein] who ordered MK Gafni to break off contacts. This involves the holiest aspect of Israel, the pure chinuch of the choldren. The Rosh Yeshiva insists that chareidi education must be independent, Belz must declare that they will not join the Education Ministry program.”
Recently the ministry published a declaration stating the framework for Belz to receive government funding. The declaration stated that whoever learns Math, English and Hebrew and receives 60% or more in examinations will receive funding which is commensurate to the Chinuch Atzmai funding. Belz claim that the declaration has nothing to do with their institutions which will continue to operate independently under the supervision of the Admor.
Degel are also preparing for a possible independent list and do not accept Belz’s claims. Rabbi Edelstein has been quoted as saying that unity is important but not at such a price (accepting ministerial intrusion on educational content).
Former prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu, concerned that both parties will fail to pass the electoral threshold, has offered to mediate between the sides, but, according to a Yisrael Hayom report, Degel informed him that Rabbi Edelstein refuses to allow mediation, since “this is not an issue for politicians but an ideological issue which concerns the rabbis.’
All about money and power. Belz essentially entered a program that will give them 100% of funding for students to ostensibly learn Hebrew (which they already know) math (which they should know) and English (which all Chuts l’aaretz Belzer already speak), basically they will be getting millions for doing next to nothing.
so why the whole bruhah??
power, all the rest see this as too a sweet deal and too much $$$$$$ for Belz and they don’t like it. so they hide behind pious claims of protecting the “pure Chinuch” at the same time they themselves are already part of the Chinuch Atzmai systems which requires MORE secular studies (than the Belz agreement) for less than 100% funding
And that is why they are so against Belz
Ideology my left foot it’s pure and simple givar
Instead of worrying about all frum Jews they’d rather lose and in the end we all do Sorry maybe it’s time for the rabbis to get back in the pulpit and yeshiva and let grown ups handle or needs
Maybe Dagel should consider joining with Shas.
“this is not an issue for politicians but an ideological issue which concerns the rabbis”
And when he met with the belzer rebbe, what transpired?”
So there will be less chareidi blackmail ?
one thing that can be derived from all this is how integral Gedolei Yisrael feel it is that the chinuch of our heiliger children MUST be determined by US not the secular, and especially not the hate-filled liars of yaffed or some woke reform woman rabbis.
Hard to weigh in on specifics . But under idea that any secular education is bad even when kids can’t learn Gemara all day is horrible. It’s so wrong. They need to stop living in a shell
And tens of thousands of Ehrlica Yidden could care less about the elections to a country which is founded against the will of the Almighty.