Yachad party leader Eli Yishai told the media he is pleased Rabbi Moshe Hager decided to join the party. Yishai told the media that the addition of Rav Hager brings a new flavor to the party, which now fulfills his dream of a �torani party� that encompasses different streams of religious observance. Yishai added that �finally the unwanted mechitzos have been taken down between the kippot srugot and the chareidim� and he adds he believes the achdus his party represents is authentic and unique.

Rabbi Hager, who is a colonel in the IDF reserves, released a statement �I thank Eli Yishai for permitting me to return with pride to my Torah roots while preserving Eretz Yisrael�. Rav Hager praised statements released by HaGaon HaRav Meir Mazuz Shlita regarding the greatness of Rav Kook ZT�L and the mitzvah of serving in the IDF for all those who are not committed to limud Torah. �This represents a true change regarding Yachad Shivtei Yisrael� explained Rav Hager, who heads a Mechina yeshiva in Yatir.

Yishai stressed �anyone who believes Yachad will be a Shas 2 is mistaken. Now it is clear that we are a different torani party that represents all of Amcha Yisrael; chareidi, religious, non-religious and those who are traditional�.

Party member Yoni Chetboun lauded the addition of Rabbi Hager as �a historic move that will receive the backing of many rabbis and roshei yeshivot�.

(YWN � Israel Desk, Jerusalem)