Since it was revealed last night that there is a proposal for Degel Hatorah and Agudas Yisroel to split up and run separately for the next Knesset, the issue has provoked public debate.
Over the years, the party was 6-4 in favor of the Chassidim (Agudah), and after the municipal election in 2018, when in some cities the power of the Litvishe was proven, these led to a change, with an equal division of half and half in the Knesset list for Yahadut Hatorah, but Degel HaTorah believes that the division can be turned in their favor.
MK Uri Maklev said last night: “It is no secret that Degel HaTorah is against raising the blocking percentage. Not that we now have a problem with Agudas Yisroel, but now there is a political opportunity to pass the blocking percentage reduction law. Lieberman is the one who initiated the percentage raising law. A multiplicity of parties will lead to broader political stability.”
{Matzav.com Israel}
With certain groups in such turmoil, there is good reason for Degel to go on its own.
If Degel goes on their own they will surely get many of these votes.
There will be change and it will surely be for the good of the chareidim
Whatever works best for the Bnei Torah, it should be done.
What works best is to remain 1 party & not risk 1 or both splintered factions not meeting the minimum threshold
IF THEY SPLIT, AND ONE FACTION FAILS TO PASS THE MINIMUM PERCENTAGE, THE CHAREDI VOTE IS WEAKENED. MOST CHAREDIM DON’T CARE ABOUT CHASIDIM/MISNAGDIM – THE DIFFERENCES ARE MINOR.
During the original split, after Rav Shach Z”L founded Degel, the incredible animosity and machlokes drove up the voting rate, so at the end, between Degel and Agudah they got more delegates than Agudh had ever gotten, including after the “reconciliation” and subsequent re-merge. It’s unfortunate that one of the worst crimes we, as a people, can commit – Machlokes and Sinas Chinam – is the only thing that was able to awaken people to care about the vote.
hould Agudah and Degel split, we will see one of 2 possibilities:
1: The split will be amicable, with no machlokes or recriminations. This is most likely going to end up with both parties losing ground, and while they may both manage to pass the minimum percentage, their overall delegate count will drop, as no one will bother much to go vote, and overage votes will be lost.
However, knowing the Tzibbur (and speaking from personal, painful recollection of the past), this scenario is highly unlikely. What is far more likely is:
2: Machlokes will abound. Those who excel at warmongering will brandish their tongues and printers, old animosities – real or imagined – will reawaken, fights will break out – both verbal and physical R”L, and the Charedi electorate will be energized to go vote. We will see a 90% voter turnout in the Chareidi sector, and both parties will gain strength and seats. Whether they will be able to put that increased strength to good use is anyone’s guess, as the animosity is sure to spill over into the delegates and their respective leadership.
In either case, Yiddishkeit loses. The increased number of delegates is not worth the hatred, ruined friendships, broken families and other results of Sinas Chinam that will occur. Nothing good or worthwhile will result from this increase, definitely no gains for the Chareidi public. And after the next government collapse, the parties will be forced to reunite, shamefaced and with their proverbial tails between their legs.
Don’t do it! Don’t split! Don’t let this terrible Atzas Hayetzer gain ground. It’s only through true Achdus that we can hope to achieve anything.