Yeshiva World News

Polls have closed – Stay with YWN as we continue bringing you the latest From Election Day 2013!

22:49:

Netanyahu writes on Facebook: ”According to the exit polls, it is clear that Israelis decided that they want me to continue serving as prime minister, and that I form as broad a government as possible,”

22:33:

Netanyahu says Israeli voters want him to put together a broad government.

22:23:

The third exit poll, via Channel 1 has been released and posted on YWN.

22:17:

The second exit poll, via Channel 10 has been released and posted on YWN.

22:11:

The first of the exit polls have been released – via Channel 2.

21:18:

Polling stations in the nation’s prisons are closed. Final voter turnout reported to be 70.4%.

20:59:

In response to the prime minister’s Facebook message that the Likud government is in danger, Labor leader Shelly Yacimovich announced “It may be possible to form a coalition without Netanyahu.”

20:53:

Two men arrested in the Ramot Daled neighborhood of Yerushalayim after they tried voting twice.

20:26:

Voter turnout at 20:00 reported at 63.7%.

20:04:

Bayit HaYehudi encouraged by higher voter turnout among IDF personnel, where the dati leumi community has large numbers.

20:03:

PM Netanyahu is trying to get supporters out to vote. He posted on Facebook “The Likud rule is in danger” amid mounting reports of a strong voter turnout for Yesh Atid, headed by Yair Lapid.

19:47:

CHANNEL 2: PM Netanyahu has convened an urgent meeting with his most senior advisors in light of reports of growing voter turnout among centrist, left-wing and Arab sectors.

19:44:

Channel 2 News reports Rav Ovadia is fasting today in addition to speaking to people on the phone to encourage them to vote. At times Rav Ovadia was in tears the report added.

19:42:

Likud Minister Gilad Erdan is concerned that votes for Yesh Atid may lead to a centrist/ left-wing block against a Netanyahu-led government.

19:42:

Central Election Committee Chairman Justice Elyakim Rubinstein permits moving a hospital ballot box to a patient’s bedside to permit voting.

19:37:

According to veteran political analysts, the higher than average voter turnout is most likely going to assist the centrist/left-wing camp, not the right-wing or chareidi camps. Labor and The Movement Party officials are expressing optimism, speaking of a possible “political revolution.”

19:38:

Voter turnout at 18:00 reported at 55.5%.

19:33:

Police have addressed 572 Election Day related complaints.

19:29:

A Bayit Vegan woman was arrested for stealing ballot slips from a polling station. She came with two children and when she was leaving a guard noticed her bag full of voting slips.

19:26:

A male was arrested in Betar Illit after he tried voting with a friend’s identity card.

18:16:

Shas supporters burned a Labor Party banner with a picture of Shelly Yacimovich in Modi’in. Some people were burned as they tried to put out the blaze. Police were summoned. A number of Shas supporters were detained for questioning.

18:09:

KIRYAT ONO: Suspected fraudulent “אמת” Labor Party ballot slips because they are missing the words בראשות שלי יחימוביץ.

18:02:

Despite earlier statements to the contrary, Labor Party leader Shelly Yacimovich announces that if the party reaches 20 or more seats, it may join a “different type of coalition” which may include Yesh Atid and other parties.

17:52:

CENTRAL ELECTION COMMITTEE: High voter turnout reported in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and the Arab sector. Low turnout reported in Beersheva. The high turnout will most likely hurt the smaller parties, many of which will not pass minimum threshold.

17:10:

Israel Prison Authority officials reported 62% voting at 16:00. Most polling in prisons has already ended at this hour as inmates voted from their cells, with guards moving the ballot box around. Some prisons will have voting until 20:00.

17:07:

Over 100,000 Israelis visited nature reserves around the country, enjoying the unseasonably warm weather and Election Day holiday.

16:41:

Shas supporters began verbally assaulting supporters of Rabbi Chaim Amsellem and his Am Shalem Party in a Beersheva polling station. There are no reports of physical violence or arrests.

16:39:

Since polling stations opened this morning, police responded to 350 election-related complaints. 11 investigations were opened as a result.

16:35:

Central Election Committee officials report that as of 16:00, voter turnout reached 46.6%, an increase from the same time in the 2009 elections, which registered 41.9%.

16:34:

Rosh Yeshivat Kisei Rachamim, Rav Meir Mazuz turned out to vote earlier in the day as did the Alexander Rebbe.

16:33:

The Vishnitzer Rebbe Shlita voted at 11:00am, escorted by Deputy Minister of Education Rav Menachem Eliezer Moses. The rebbe voted in the Beis Yaakov on Beis Ezra Street in Bnei Brak.

16:30:

70% voter turnout being reported in Bnei Brak, including Rabbi Yaakov Asher, the mayor and Knesset hopeful, in the seventh slot on the Yahadut Hatorah list.

16:24:

Chareidim generally have a high voter turnout in general elections. The reported increase in voting today compared to previous elections is viewed as a bad sign by chareidim, realizing the increased numbers will most likely work against them.

16:20:

A chareidi man entered a polling station on Rav Meir Bal Haness Street in Beit Shemesh and turned over a table. When asked to identify himself for police he refused. He was placed under arrest.

16:15:

Chareidi protests took place at Kikar Shabbos in Jerusalem and in Beit Shemesh against the elections. There were no reports of incidents or violence.

15:55:

The Seret-Vishnitz Rebbe voted earlier in Talmud Torah Toras Emmes on Ben Babba Street in Haifa.

15:44:

At 12:00 noon, 29% of IDF soldiers voted. This includes reservists who were activated for duty. At noontime in the 2009 elections, only 22.2% of soldiers had voted.

15:19:

LABOR: A complaint was filed seeking immediate intervention to stop Upper Nazareth Mayor Shimon Gafso from pro-Likud activities in the city.

14:00:

Voter turnout reported at 38.3%. This represents a 4.5% increase over the 2009 elections at the same time.

13:15:

HAIFA: Tens of Technion University students disguised themselves as disabled so they can vote at the campus disabled polling station instead of traveling elsewhere. Their being discovered has led to an incident involving election officials and police.

13:07:

LIKUD/BEITENU: The party has filed a complaint after forged voting ballots were found in Hadera, Rishon L’tzion and Beit Ezra. While the slips have the Likud “מחל” letters, the ballots do not say ליכוד ישראל ביתנו בראשות בנימין נתניהו לראשות הממשלה

12:49:

MK Yoel Hasson has filed a complaint against Yahadut Hatorah for using illegal campaign tactics, fictitious draft notices which warn voters if they do not vote Gimmel they will be drafted.

12:35:

N. TEL AVIV: A resident filed a complaint with police after arriving to vote and was told “you already voted”. Apparently someone voted under the same name and identity number.

12:30:

Amir Peretz, number three on The Movement Party list, voted in Sderot, telling reporters “Today is going to be Yom Kippur for pollsters.”

12:23:

Voter turnout at noon reached 26.7%. This is the highest voter turnout by noon since 1999.

12:15:

Hamas PM Ismail Haniyeh says elections in Israel will lead to a more extremist government.

12:05:

 AM SHALEM: Rabbi Chaim Amsellem reports that he has learned ballot slips from his party have been removed in some areas. In addition, Shas is spreading a rumor that he has bowed out of the race, directing voters to Shas. He stated “This is characteristic of Shas which lies and steals when it’s a mitzvah. This is a historic opportunity to make a change in Israeli society.”

12:02:

Green Leaf Party officials report to Central Election Committee that their ballot slips were missing from many IDF polling stations. Committee officials signal they have not received any such reports until now.

11:53:

A Haifa woman was lightly injured this morning after being assaulted as she tried removing Yesh Atid signs.

11:50:

YESH ATID alleges that its ballot slips bearing the letters “פה” were switched in a number of polling stations with slips of “הפ” from the חיים בכבוד”” party which is not expected to pass the minimum threshold.

11:45:

A complaint has been filed with the Central Election Committee stating that in a chareidi area of Yerushalayim, one of the poll watchers is dressed immodestly and this causes issues for frum voters.

11:17:

Yad Sarah is assisting on Election Day, providing transportation to and from polling stations for wheelchair bound citizens. Those requiring the service may phone 1-700-501-800.

11:06:

Labor leader Shelly Yacimovich voted in Tel Aviv near her home.

11:06:

Meretz leader Zahava Gal-On has voted.

11:05:

Shas leader Aryeh Deri voted in a Jerusalem Beis Yaakov polling station.

10:54:

Otzma Yisrael poll watchers called to halt voting in Yad Binyamin, alleging Bayit HaYehudi activists removed their slips from ballot box to prevent voters from voting Otzma Yisrael.

10:46:

HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita and HaGaon HaRav Nissim Karelitz Shlita have both voted.

10:43:

HaGaon HaRav Aaron Yehuda Leib Shteinman Shlita walked from his home at 5 Chazon Ish Street in Bnei Brak to vote at a nearby polling station located on HaAdmor M’Gur Street.

10:34:

The Movement Party leader Tzipi Livni on the way to vote with her husband told reporters “Those who understand the need for change understand the policies of Binyamin Netanyahu must be changed. The time for the [political] spins has ended and I am confident there will be a dramatic outcome in the elections.”

10:30:

Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid voted in Tel Aviv, telling reporters “it’s a special feeling to vote for myself”.

10:29:

Kadima leader Shaul Mofaz voted in Kochav Yair, telling reporters “This is a very important day for the nation.”

10:20:

Voting is now reported to have reached 11.4% of eligible voters nationwide.

10:01:

Central Election Committee Chairman Justice Elyakim Rubinstein reports voting at this hour is “not bad” as compared to the last general elections in 2009. Back in 2009, at 10:00am, a bit over 10% of eligible voters had already exercised their right to vote.

10:00:

Shas activists tried to bring fake voting slips into a Hadera polling station. The slips were for competing parties including Rav Amnon Yitzchak, Rav Amsellem and Bayit HaYehudi in the hope of having those envelopes disqualified.

09:49:

Labor Party officials report a Likud activist at a polling station on Elkalai Street in Kfar Saba threatened a Labor person with scissors. The incident concluded without injuries.

09:40:

Interior Minister Eli Yishai voted in a Jerusalem Beis Yaakov polling station. He told the press “I hope we get more than 11 seats. Every additional vote is a bracha.”

09:35:

Yisrael Beitenu head Avigdor Lieberman has voted in his Gush Etzion community of Nokdim (El David).

09:30:

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu visited the Kosel explaining this is his custom; to daven for the future of Israel. He inserted a kvitel into the Wall which reported said בעזרת השם למען עתיד ישראל.

09:24:

Central Election Committee Chairman Justice Elyakim Rubinstein instructed the Hebrew Kikar Shabbat chareidi website to remove a video against the Koach L’Hashpiah Party. The video shows Maran Rav Ovadia Shlita speaking against Rav Amnon Yitzchak.

08:55:

Escorted by Shas leaders, Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef Shlita voted in Kiryat Moshe a short time ago.

08:50:

President Shimon Peres voted in the Omaniyot High School a short time ago.

 08:15:

Bayit HaYehudi leader Naftali Bennett and his wife voted in Ra’anana a short time ago.

07:00

The over 10,000 polling stations nationwide have opened to permit 5,656,705 eligible voters to cast their ballots for the 19th Knesset.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Being the leading party has its advantages and having partnered with Yisrael Beitenu, the joint list has enlisted the assistance of 40,000 workers and volunteers nationwide on Election Day. The activists will report to one of 200 Likud stations nationwide, offering many Multilanguage services, including transportation for voters to and from polling stations.

Activities are taking place in Russian, Amharic, French, and English, Likud officials report. There is also a special election team to reach out to the non-Jewish sector. Likud’s Ze’ev Elkin is overseeing the party’s activities in areas throughout Yehuda and Shomron.

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(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

There are 5,656,705 eligible voters in the election for the 19th Knesset.

· There are 10,132 nationwide polling stations

· There were 96 polling stations for diplomats abroad

· There are 34 parties vying for seats in the 19th Knesset

· The fewest number of parties competing in elections was in 1961, with 14 parties

· The minimum threshold will be 2%, which in the 2009 elections was 67,470 votes

· Average voter turnout in general elections stands at 77.8%

· Highest voter turnout was recorded in 1949, 86.9%

· Lowest voter turnout was recorded in 2006, 63.5%

· Election Day costs the economy 1.5 – 2 billion NIS

· Each party getting into Knesset receives 180 million NIS

· The highest budget is that of the Likud/Beitenu list, 59.4 million NIS

· The Election Committee’s budget is 246,781,000 NIS

· Operations costs on Election Day cost 76 million NIS

· Salaries for Election Day workers amount to 58 million NIS

· Computer costs on Election Day is 22 million NIS

· Educational infomercial videos – 1.8 million NIS

· 60,000 people are employed on Election Day to operate the voting system

· 7.5 million white ballot slips were printed at a cost of over 3 million NIS.

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(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

HaRav Eliezer Berland, Rosh Yeshivas Shuvu Banim called on “chilonim,” non-frum Israelis to vote for Yahadut Hatorah on Election Day. He explained “The Jewish koach comes from maintaining our tradition” and that is what the party does.

Rav Berland’s message to the tzibur is that everyone must vote Gimmel to maintain Jewish tradition in Eretz Yisrael, including Yom Kippur and bris milah. He made his statements during a visit with Deputy Minister of Health Yaakov Litzman in the latter’s office.

“Rav Litzman, who stands at the helm of Yahadut Hatorah is the minister of health and has worked to improve the health system for all Israelis, from all walks of life, including chareidim, chilonim, minorities and he continues working for equality for all Israelis” Rav Berland stated.

Agudah, Gimmel, is the only part in which there is no discrimination between religion, gender, ethnicity and all are welcome. “Everyone must vote Gimmel, including all the chilonim for this way we can prevent assimilation.”

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(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

According to the Israel Manufacturer’s Association, the national holiday on Tuesday 11 Shevat 5773, Election Day, will cost the nation 1.7 billion NIS. According to the president of the association, Tzvika Oren, “the price is too high”. Oren is calling for the establishment of a different system, one that will not shut down the manufacturing of goods nationwide. He suggest placing voting stations inside factories, permitting employees to vote and return to work.

The experts quickly add that Election Day is not just resulting in a loss, explaining the shopping and entertainment industries have record sales days so in reality, the picture is far less bleak than Oren paints.

It is estimated that after calculating the positive aspects of Election Day the actual loss to the nation stands at 1 billion NIS.

Have you checked out YWN Radio yet? Click HERE to listen!

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat on Monday, 10 Shevat 5773 came out in support of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s reelection bid. During a joint visit to the Menachem Begin Heritage Center, the mayor thanks the prime minister for working to strengthen Yerushalayim with “unprecedented measures”.

Barkat added that he supports the prime minister and Likud/Beitenu list, adding “I want to see you leading Israel for another term.”

The prime minister commented, reaffirming his commitment to the capital, calling it “my city, our city”.

Mr. Netanyahu vowed “not to buckle under mounting international pressure and the government will continue building in Yerushalayim and throughout the State of Israel.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Rosh Yeshivat Har Etzion HaGaon HaRav Aaron Lichtenstein Shlita has come out instructing talmidim to vote for Bayit HaYehudi, explaining “there is no significant political process” today, explaining his position. The rav’s remarks are quoted in the “מצב הרוח” publication.

The Torah giant is viewed as a political moderate and his statement came to a surprise to many talmidim for Rav Lichtenstein simply stated the issues for this election do not involve the any political process and therefore, we must rally behind the issues that unite us.

“At one time, there was a significant division between the political issues but today, we are all aware we do not have a serious partner on the other side. The matter of hawks and doves is therefore not relevant. In the Meimad era, there was a dominant political question but today, this is no political issue and no practical significance to the political process so we must work together on the other issues upon which we agree, those issues that we see eye to eye on. That which unites us is ten times greater than that which divides us.”

“The goal is for our tzibur to unit around a list. There are dati candidates in many parties but they are batul b’shishim in those parties. It is hard to believe they will accomplish anything. There is only one organized party in the political arena that can really achieve the important issues close to us,” the rav explained, instructing followers to vote for Bayit HaYehudi.

The rav explains the party will above all work to preserve the Jewish issues, citing “most of the candidates are Shomer Torah and Mitzvos and it is important to have a large representation from this stream –those who unite and bring love of the Torah and love of the land; love of the people and love of the state. I hope the party will succeed in fulfilling all of the hopes instilled in it.”

The rav called on the entire tzibur to vote for the party, stressing one should vote and not opt to sit out the elections.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef Shlita during his Monday morning 10 Shevat 5773 shiur spoke of the “gezeira to draft Bnei Torah”. The Gadol Hador called on the Ashkenazi tzibur to vote Shas too to show hakoras hatov.

The rav spoke of the obligation to vote for Shas, stating “morai v’rabbosai, I am troubled. My heart aches over the bad thoughts chilonim have about us, the haters of Torah. They wish to draft Bnei Torah, those who study Torah day and night and give nachas ruach to HKBH. I am troubled over this. Who will learn Torah? Who will keep the world going?…”

The rav stressed Shas is not about cabinet seats. “How can we remain silent as such a time? We must act as one and vote Shas to strengthen the Torah, to strengthen Yahadut. This movement was established to strengthen Torah, not for [cabinet] seats.”

The rav continued and launched another attack against Bayit HaYehudi. He spoke of “confused people, for example Bayit HaYehudi. I am sorry to say Bayit Yehudi is not a Bayit Yehudi. Their MKs announce they want public transportation on Shabbos. What kind of Bayit Yehudi. .Your bayit is Shas.”

The rav concluded by calling upon the Ashkenazi tzibur to vote for Shas to show hakoras hatov for the many apartments they received from the Ministry of Housing, which is run by a Shas minister. “It is not an Ashkenazi Sephardi thing, we have one Torah and we must strengthen the Torah.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Ashkenazi roshei yeshiva are calling upon Sephardi talmidim to vote Gimmel in the elections. According to a Ladaat report, many of these talmidim will comply and vote for Yahadut Hatorah.

Adding to the mission is the letter published on Monday 10 Shevat 5773 by HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita, which many believe will compel a growing number of chareidim to vote for Yahadut Hatorah, Ashkenazim and Sephardim alike.

Yeshivos and kollelim around Eretz Yisrael will release talmidim and avreichim to vote on Election Day.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

While the Friday 7 Shevat 5773 Channel 10 Dialogue poll shows Shas receiving 11 seats, party officials announce that even 13 seats will be viewed as a failure. In actuality, Aryeh Deri stated repeatedly in TV appearances during the election campaign that he remains confident the party will earn 20 or more seats despite pessimistic predictions by pollsters.

In actuality, many feel that Shas’ trio leadership arrangement is a failure and the mixed messages being sent to the public coupled with votes going to Bayit HaYehudi, Koach L’Hashpiah and Am Shalem will leave Shas in the single digits following elections.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Rosh Yeshivat Beit El HaRav Zalman Melamed Shlita expressed his opposition to members of the chareidi dati leumi community voting for the Gimmel chareidi party. Rav Melamed is opposed to the statements of Rosh Yeshivat Har HaMor HaRav Tzvi Yisrael Tau Shlita who came out in favor of Agudas Yisrael.

Rabbi Melamed is quoted by Kippa as saying “I heard a very bizarre rumor that I must comment on, that in Yeshivat Har HaMor Rav [Tzvi Yisrael] Tau instructed his talmidim to vote for Yahadut Hatorah. I did not hear this directly from him, and perhaps it is entirely untrue. I was simply shocked when I heard it” the rosh yeshiva told his talmidim.

“Those of us who studied with Rav Tzvi Yehuda [Kook] and heard his comments regarding Agudas Yisrael realize they don’t have Rav Kook’s seforim. They exclude his seforim and their reference to him and us is ugly, and their Knesset representatives wipe us out all the time. Could it be that the tzibur that studies ‘Orot’, Rav Kook’s Torah, and follows his path will vote for the very same people who mock us and walk a different path than Rav Kook, a path Rav Kook was very critical of” Rav Melamed questions.

Rav Melamed continues, referring to the “isolation and disengagement from the nation” by the chareidim and the unwillingness of the Agudas Yisrael community to acknowledge the אתחלתא דגאולה, citing Rav Tzvi Yehuda would raise his voice when addressing this issue. He spoke of the need to relate to “achdus Yisrael” and breaking barriers, not the opposite. “To vote for chareidim is to walk in a completely different direction from the one we are on all the time. This is not the way of Rav Tzvi Yehuda.”

Rav Melamed stressed “I never spoke negatively about a talmid chacham who is not part of our tzibur for our chinuch stresses Derech Eretz towards talmidei chachamim and there are many in the Agudas Yisrael community and we may admire their greatness in Torah.

Nevertheless, we have chosen our way, that of Maran Rav Kook and we must understand the difference between קודש לבין קודש קודשים.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Officials of the extreme left-wing Meretz Party are optimistic ahead of Tuesday’s general elections, expecting to at least double the size of the party in the 19th Knesset.

Party leader MK Zahava Gal-On sees the momentum gaining and support for the party continues to increase.

Meretz today has three seats in the 18th Knesset, and based on the Channel 10 Dialogue poll released erev Shabbos 7 Shevat 5773, the party will indeed double in size, to six seats.

Meretz is a leader is pushing for changing the so-called religious status quo, seeking public pus service on Shabbos and other changes that the left-wing party feels are in line with a democratic country in the 21st century.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

With achdus between Degel HaTorah and Netzach all but a past dream, Netzach compelled to submit its list to the Central Election Committee last week. The party lineup is led by Chaim Epstein, a veteran Degel askan and a resident of Har Nof. He was a talmid in Ponevezh and it was during that period he developed a relationship with Rav Shmuel Rosovsky ZT”L and HaGaon HaRav Shach ZT”L. Kikar Shabbat reports Rav Shach was particularly fond of Epstein. Epstein had a hand in the founding of Degel, served as a party secretary as well as head of Rabbi Avraham Ravitz’s z”l office when the late deputy minister served in the Ministry of Housing. He also served as a councilman in Elad.

The second position went to attorney Moshe Elmaliach, a resident of Ashdod and a former director of the Sheiris Yisrael kashrus. This is a clear signal that Netzach is hoping to attract Sephardi voters as well, perhaps Sephardi chareidim who have become disenchanted with Shas. Elmaliach is a successful businessman and has served in a number of public positions including director-general of Shas’ El HaMayan education network along with the Mayan HaChinuch HaTorani network. He has also served as deputy mayor in Ashdod.

The third slot is held by David Biderman, a Laluv chossid and a brother of Admor Rav Shimon of Lulav ZT”L. Biderman serves as the chassidish representative, hoping to attract chassidim as well as litvish voters. Netzach leaders hope he will bring the disenchanted Agudas Yisrael voters, primarily from the smaller chassidic courts, those not represented in the Agudah lineup. Rav Biderman is reportedly close to HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Auerbach Shlita.

Fourth slot was given to Chaim Ruchamkin, a former talmid of Kol Torah in Yerushalayim. He was close to HaGaon HaRav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach ZT”L and continues to serve as director of the Chochmas Shlomo Yeshiva in Bnei Brak. He too is a former director of the Sheiris Yisrael hashgacha and established the Chanichei Yeshivos Kol Torah in Bnei Brak, known as among the most loyal talmidim of Rav Auerbach.

Fifth spot is held by Shmuel Goldsmith, a well-known fundraiser for Ponevezh, a known askan and bal chessed.

Sixth slot is held by Yeshayahu Wein, a resident of Modi’in Illit. He used to write for Yated Ne’eman, serving as the deputy editor of HaPeles today. He has been an outspoken opponent of talmidim who opt to serve in the IDF as well as a major opponent of the “New Chareidim”, which is represented by the Tov Party.

Seventh slot is held by Yehuda Shemtov, a member of the Modi’in Illit City Council. He is a representative of the Sephardim in the new party.

Yaakov Freidman holds the eighth slot, a former senior official in the business hierarchy of Rav Menachem Carmel. He recently became the spokesman for Rav Shmuel Auerbach.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

The right-wing Ichud HaLeumi and Bayit HaYehudi Parties have been working to unite and run under a joint list in the upcoming 11 Shevat 5773 general election. After the recent election of Naftali Bennett as the new head of Bayit HaYehudi, the polls show the party will receive about nine seats in the next Knesset, even without merging with Ichud.

As such, the notion of running under a joint list appears less attractive to some Bayit HaYehudi members, Walla News reports. Complicating things even more is the reality that Icud continues to insist that Ichud’s Uri Ariel receives the second slot on a joint list, and Bayit HaYehudi officials simply do not see the need for such an arrangement considering the newly gained party popularity.

On Monday 19 Kislev, the Bayit HaYehudi Central Committee plans to convene to discuss the matter. A final decision is expected sometime next week.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Earlier in the week, Yair Lapid commented that he offered Tzipi Livni the second slot in his party, but she declined the offer. On Tuesday afternoon, after her announced return to politics, Livni told reporters that she contemplated offers to join with Lapid and the Labor Party, but ultimately she believes her own new party was the best way to serve the ideals that she remains loyal to.

In response, Yair Lapid’s party released a statement that Livni represents the “epitome of old politics” and unfortunately, by turning down the party’s offer, she will not be part of effecting true change, concluding that “she is driven by ego alone”.

As far as Likud officials are concerned, Livni was a major supporter of the government’s Disengagement Plan, the ousting of the families from Gush Katif and Northern Shomron from their homes, a move that “brought Gaza and Hamas closer”.

The statement adds that Livni is incapable of making a decision on any issue, and lacks political savvy and national responsibility. Even worse however, her message to Israel’s enemies is one of lax security while Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s message is one of a responsibility to defend the citizens of the nation.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

A well seasoned soldier in Israel’s political arena, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu prepared for the return of Tzipi Livni and/or former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, taking steps to secure an election victory in the 11 Shevat 5773 general election.

Mr. Netanyahu shocked the political community with his deal, but signing an election agreement with Yisrael Beitenu will give the join list over 30 seats, ensuring the prime minister once again receives the presidential mandate to form the next government coalition.

The union with Yisrael Beitenu has the chareidi parties concerned, especially with polls showing a larger and stronger HaBayit HaYehudi party following the elections, leading the veteran chareidi players with the realization that when they are seated opposite the prime minister at coalition negotiations, they will not wield the same political clout they did in the past election.

That said, the prime minister has stressed he remains loyal to his chareidi coalition brethren, and he will undoubtedly seek to bring Yahadut HaTorah and Shas on board in the next coalition towards forming a solid right-wing coalition majority and banishing the centrist and centrist left-wing to the benches of the opposition along with the Arab parties.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

After losing the Livni camp members of Kadima to Tzipi Livni’s new The Movement party, Kadima leader Shaul Mofaz was surprised to learn that another defector was among his staunchest loyalists, Yochanan Plesner, who spearheaded efforts to abolish the Tal Law and induct chareidim into the IDF.

Mofaz is left with the ruins of a once ruling party, and according to polls, his ailing political party will not pass the minimum threshold in the upcoming general election, and therefore vanish from the political arena.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Yet another surprise was announced in Israel today, Tuesday 13 Kislev 5773 when Rav Amnon Yitzchak told participants in a shiur “it’s official”, explaining he is running for Knesset. The rav explained that over the years, he has been asked on numerous occasions why he does not enter Knesset and he has decided to launch a party and do just that, confident he will be in the double digits following the election.

“I will return the government to the people” he explains, adding that to implement change, one must be part of the game and in this case, in Knesset. He promises to continue as he has for the past 35 years, doing his utmost for Am Yisrael, to give without asking anything in return, to distance people from an incorrect path, to act as a true shaliach of the people.

The rav adds that he has proven himself for over three decades and as such, he is confident the tzibur knows who he really is and will chose him to represent their interests in Knesset.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)