Significant progress was reported Thursday in negotiations between Degel HaTorah and Agudas Yisroel over the makeup of their joint electoral slate for Israel’s 26th Knesset, with the two Chareidi factions moving closer to an agreement that would alter the division of several key positions on the United Torah Judaism list.
Under the arrangement currently taking shape, Degel HaTorah would effectively secure the seventh position without being required to share the seat with Agudas Yisroel through a rotation agreement if the joint party wins seven mandates.
Should United Torah Judaism receive eight seats, Agudas Yisroel would likewise not be required to rotate into the ninth position, which would remain with Degel HaTorah.
Another significant component of the emerging deal concerns the tenth position on the slate. That slot, which had been expected to belong to Agudas Yisroel, would instead be transferred to Degel HaTorah under the proposed arrangement.
The developing agreement would represent a meaningful change in the balance between the two factions and, in particular, would guarantee Degel HaTorah control of the seventh seat if United Torah Judaism wins seven mandates. Degel would therefore avoid having to surrender the position for part of the Knesset term as part of a rotation with Agudas Yisroel.
With the major issues reportedly nearing resolution, negotiations are now said to be focused primarily on final technical details. The two sides are working to complete an agreement ahead of next week’s deadline for submitting the electoral lists.
The dispute over the seventh seat became particularly consequential during the previous Knesset. After United Torah Judaism left the coalition, the faction’s seven mandates ultimately left Degel HaTorah with only three Knesset members compared with four representing Agudas Yisroel, amid disagreements surrounding implementation of the rotation agreement for the seventh position.
The emerging formula is intended to prevent a repeat of that situation. If Degel HaTorah receives the seventh position following the upcoming election, the seat would remain entirely in Degel’s hands rather than being divided with Agudas Yisroel through a rotation arrangement.
{Matzav.com}
