Journalist Shalom Stein reports that Degel HaTorah and Agudat Yisrael are at a standoff over running a joint list, with each side waiting for the other to initiate negotiations. The Prime Minister's Office is concerned about a split but has decided not to intervene until after the Likud primaries. A source in United Torah Judaism says the issue will be decided at the last minute.
Journalist Shalom Stein reports that with 27 days remaining until the deadline for party list submissions, Degel HaTorah and Agudat Yisrael remain deadlocked over whether to run a joint list as United Torah Judaism. According to Stein, Degel HaTorah is waiting for a request from Agudat Yisrael to open negotiations, while Agudat Yisrael is waiting for a similar approach from Degel. Neither side wants to be seen as blinking first, particularly as Degel HaTorah seeks more slots on the joint list this time.
The Prime Minister's Office, Stein reports, is concerned about the prospect of a split but has made a principled decision not to intervene in other coalition parties' internal affairs until after the Likud primaries. A source in United Torah Judaism told Stein: 'Everything will be decided at the last minute.'
As The Zioneer has previously reported, tensions between the two factions have been mounting over the past month, with Degel HaTorah accusing Agudat Yisrael of undermining the yeshiva draft exemption bill, and Degel's election officials warning that a separate run could secure five mandates. The outcome of the standoff could affect the stability of the coalition and the composition of the religious Zionist bloc.
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