Speaking to Israel Radio’s Reshet Bet on Sunday afternoon 10 Teves 5773, a confident Rabbi Amnon Yitzchak stated his Koach L’Hashpiah Party will earn “double digits” in the next Knesset.

Listening to the bleak political analysts eulogizing his efforts prior to getting on the air, Yitzchak said, “Even though today is a fast day you made me laugh.”

When asked how is can betray Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef Shlita, Rav Yitzchak said, “for one thing, Shas leaders insist I will not pass the minimum threshold so I wonder why my running has them so concerned. For another, I am not betraying Maran, chas v’sholom. We decided to run after Yair Lapid decided to enter the ring. I explained I showed HaGaon HaRav Aaron  Leib Shteinman Shlita our poll, predicting we will earn 8-9 seats, and he told us we must do so, to run.

ISRAEL RADIO:

But the chareidi media says Rav Shteinman is not supporting you but only coming out for Yahadut Hatorah.

RAV YITZCHAK:

Permit me to worry about Rav Shteinman. We have good relationship and I am well-aware of what he said. I also remind you the so-called letter from Rav Shteinman does not appear in his handwriting. It is a lie. It is not from him.

ISRAEL RADIO:

Where will your votes come from?

RAV YITZCHAK:

Some votes from those who have not voted in the past, some from Shas, and many from the hundreds of thousands who come to hear me speak annually.

When asked why is he banned from Maran’s home, he explains “speak with Yehudit, the wife of Moshe, a son of the rav”, referring to Rabbi Moshe Yosef and his rebitzen. It is known the latter runs the affairs of the home and Rabbi Yitzchak have recently accused Rebitzen Yehudit of blocking their entry to Rav Ovadia. “Rav Ovadia lives on Kablan Street, in Har Nof. He isn’t aware to just what extent the poverty has reached. He knows what they tell him.”

Write it down – remember, we will sit together on election night and laugh, and remember, double digits.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)