As Israel’s Knesset teetered on the brink of dissolution, senior members of the chareidi parties scrambled in a last-ditch effort to stop the process. Intense negotiations unfolded behind closed doors, involving Shas leader Aryeh Deri, Deputy Minister Uri Maklev of United Torah Judaism, MK Moshe Gafni of Degel HaTorah, and ultimately culminating in a decisive directive from across the Atlantic issued by Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, who is currently in the U.S.
The central issue on the table was the ongoing impasse over the draft law, a matter that has become the primary stumbling block in coalition negotiations. Deri and Maklev convened an emergency meeting with party representatives, declaring, “No one leaves this room until we see white smoke,” signaling their determination to find a resolution that could stave off elections.
Former Minister Ariel Atias also played a pivotal role, acting as a mediator between Likud, United Torah Judaism, and Shas, attempting to bridge the gap in positions among the parties.
Meanwhile, a separate track of high-level dialogue was unfolding between MK Moshe Gafni and Rav Hirsch, who is currently in the U.S. fundraising for the Keren Olam HaTorah. Gafni updated Rav Hirsch on the emerging understandings reached with Likud and Knesset Member Yuli Edelstein.
As the key figure whose guidance was crucial on the yeshiva draft issue, Rav Hirsch received constant briefings from Deputy Minister Maklev and the chareidi negotiation teams. When a breakthrough was achieved and “white smoke” emerged, Rav Hirsch gave clear instructions: do not vote this week in favor of dissolving the Knesset.
That same day, Shas chairman Aryeh Deri held an extended meeting with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in a final attempt to halt the dissolution. Their discussion centered on growing security concerns and the potential impact such developments could have on political stability.
Netanyahu, who has been ill in recent days, managed the unfolding crisis from his office and made only a brief appearance in the Knesset to deliver remarks during the visit of Argentine President Javier Milei.
Simultaneously, as consensus was solidifying and Rav Hirsch’s verdict became known, MK Yisrael Eichler of Agudas Yisrael sought direction from the Belzer Rebbe. He received a firm ruling: vote against dissolving the Knesset. Over the past week, Eichler reportedly visited the Rebbe four times, receiving consistent and unambiguous guidance on the matter.
{Matzav.com Israel}
