Aguda, Degel Sign Agreement For Mutual Knesset List After Belz Crisis Resolved

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Just days before the final deadline, and with a helping hand from Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu, the two factions in UTJ signed an agreement Monday which will allow a mutual Knesset list to run in the coming elections.

The agreement was reached after Belz representative Yisrael Eichler met with MK Meir Porush and they suggested a number of solutions which could enable the sides to unite.

Degel Hatorah had insisted that Belz should not join Chinuch Atzmai as this was “the last will of Rabbi Steinman.” However Belz wanted a solution in the event that the chareidim and right-wing will not reach 61 mandates. If they do reach that number and Netanyahu forms the government, he has committed to equating the budgets of the chareidi partially funded schools to the state schools, which would allow Belz to receive the full government budgets it requires, without obligating it to change curriculums.

If the right-wing does not reach 61, Belz and Degel Hatorah reached a compromise allowing Belz to partially join Chinuch Atzmai (although not in Jerusalem and Bnei Brak). Belz reiterated that if Degel will not fulfill its promises, the chasidic group will once again negotiate with the Education Ministry to form a new stream of education.

The sides have yet to agree on placements on the joint list, with the big question being whether Moshe Gafni will continue to lead the list or whether new Aguda appointment Yitzchak Goldknopf will get the top spot on the list.