Degel HaTorah is seeking to ease tensions with the Gur community ahead of the 26th Knesset elections. United Torah Judaism chairman Yaakov Asher is expected to meet with MK Yitzchak Goldknopf on Thursday in an effort to resolve the dispute and secure Gur’s support in the campaign.

The tensions center on the draft law. Gur had pushed for stronger pressure on the government, while Degel HaTorah opposed the approach. Gur representatives say earlier commitments by the Lithuanian representatives regarding the legislative timetable and sanctions against the government were not fulfilled, leaving Gur to pay the political price while its partners gained time.

The divide deepened after Goldknopf left the government and disagreements grew within Agudas Yisroel. The dispute pits Goldknopf and Yaakov Tessler against the camp of Meir Porush and Elikim Stark, whose alliance formed the Chomas Torah faction. Degel HaTorah has drawn closer to the Porush-Shter camp, while Gur believes it has been increasingly pushed out of the decision-making process within United Torah Judaism.

The dispute has now raised concerns about the election campaign. Gur’s organized political network can mobilize voters beyond the community’s own base, and a lack of full cooperation could hurt the party’s turnout.

Gur has not publicly committed to supporting United Torah Judaism. Party officials are also concerned that even if Gur voters go to the polls, the community may not provide the intensive campaign work and mobilization seen in previous elections.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)