United Torah Judaism may run together in the upcoming elections only as a technical arrangement before splitting back into its two component factions and conducting separate coalition negotiations, according to veteran Chareidi political analyst Yaakov Rivlin.

Rivlin said Thursday that the growing divisions within the Chareidi political camp could result in UTJ contesting the election on a joint ticket while effectively functioning as two separate parties once the votes are counted.

Under that scenario, Degel HaTorah and Agudas Yisroel would separate following the election, with each faction independently negotiating its terms for joining a future governing coalition.

MK Yitzchok Pindrus of Degel HaTorah, however, strongly rejected the report, dismissing the speculation during an interview with Kol Chai Radio.

“These reports are meaningless,” he said.

“There is an entire industry today, including within the Chareidi media, that needs to make a living, so it constantly has to come up with some exciting new angle… I suggest everyone calm down,” he added.

Pindrus similarly brushed aside reports of possible primaries or significant changes to the party’s electoral slate, stressing that the Chareidi parties operate under the direction of the Gedolei Yisroel rather than through conventional party politics.

“Perhaps some are envious of Likud – which has primaries and internal tribunals – and want that for us too, thinking, ‘Why not make things interesting?’ But we are led by the Torah luminaries, and nothing is going to change.”

Turning to Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and his handling of the political crisis surrounding the Chareidi community, Pindrus was asked whether Netanyahu bears responsibility for the current situation.

“Clearly, he failed to deliver,” he said.

Despite that criticism, Pindrus said no conclusions should yet be drawn about whether the Chareidi parties will support Netanyahu or another candidate following the elections. Such decisions, he stressed, will be made only after the election results are known and in accordance with the directives of the Gedolei Yisroel.

{Matzav.com}