Following the announcement that MK Yisrael Eichler has been appointed Deputy Communications Minister and has rejoined the coalition, a sharp public exchange erupted between senior Agudas Yisroel figure Moti Babchik and media personality Yinon Magal.

As reported earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu succeeded in bringing Eichler, a representative of the Belzer chassidus, back into the government by awarding him the deputy ministerial post, despite opposition within parts of Agudas Yisroel, particularly from the Gerer chassidus. The move effectively returned Agudas Yisroel to the coalition.

Magal quickly mocked the development on social media, posting sarcastically: “Breaking: Babchik’s car has been found abandoned at Tzuk Beach.” The jab alluded to Babchik’s reputation as a dominant power broker within Agudas Yisroel and suggested—tongue in cheek—that he had been outmaneuvered by Belz following Eichler’s return.

The comment drew an immediate and forceful response. Babchik, who serves as chief of staff to the chairman of United Torah Judaism, replied publicly: “I saw your mockery about my having abandoned my car at Tzuk Beach. It is better to abandon a car than to abandon values. I would have expected you—someone who speaks morning and night about his love and affection for yeshiva students—to stand by them and defend them, instead of acting as a spokesman and cheerleader for a government that tramples on them and imprisons them.”

Beyond the personal exchange, the political ramifications are significant. Eichler’s appointment triggered the return of Degel HaTorah MK Yitzchok Pindrus to the Knesset under the Norwegian Law, adding another vote in favor of advancing the draft law. As a result, tensions within the chareidi camp—particularly Lithuanian anger toward Belz for breaking earlier understandings—are expected to subside.

It bears recalling that after Netanyahu previously failed to pass the draft legislation, the chareidi parties—United Torah Judaism and Shas—had withdrawn from the government and relinquished ministerial posts until progress was made. Netanyahu’s decision to bring Eichler back is now seen as having fractured the united front of opposition to the law within Agudas Yisroel. With MK Meir Porush unlikely to oppose the legislation, Bezalel Goldknopf appears increasingly isolated, though representatives from Vizhnitz could still align with him.

A senior political source said that the move involving Eichler “was not improvised; it was carefully planned.” According to the source, the timing may be linked to an anticipated rabbinic arbitration ruling in a dispute between Eichler and Degel HaTorah over demands that Eichler resign to allow Pindrus to enter the Knesset. “The expectation was that the ruling would be unfavorable to Belz,” the source said, “and that is likely why the move was revealed today.”

{Matzav.com}