Rabbis of Judea and Samaria have publicized a call to vote for a nationalist party, either Ichud HaLeumi (National Union) or HaBayit HaYehudi (Jewish Home). There is broad concern in the nationalist camp that the effects of the Disengagement continue to be expressed in the unwillingness of many to exercise their right to take part in the democratic process, and that this could cost the nationalist camp in the Knesset a mandate or more.
National Union to Sderot
Tomorrow, Friday, the Ichud HaLeumi will sponsor a convoy of cars from all over the country to Sderot. The purpose is to strengthen and encourage the town’s residents and to help the town’s economy by making purchases for the Sabbath.
The participants will also explain to the residents how the Government of Israel betrayed them by choosing to carry out a military offensive for display purposes on the eve of the elections, and then choosing not to finish it conclusively. The participating vehicles are to meet at 9:30 AM at the Yad Mordechai junction, just south of Ashkelon, and will set out from there for Sderot, eight kilometers away.
The Ichud HaLeumi party calls on the government to take over the Philadelphi Route between Gaza and Egypt, to liquidate Hamas, and not to open crossings with Gaza until Gilad Shalit is released.
Sderot resident and former mayoral candidate Alon Davidi is number 6 on the list of Ichud Leumi candidates.
Jewish Home
In the other religious-Zionist electoral list, the Jewish Home/New National Religious Party, polls show with near certainty that the party will pass the minimum vote threshold, giving it three and possibly four Knesset seats. Number four on the list, MK Nissan Slomiansky, will host meetings with potential voters in Rosh HaAyin and Revavah on Thursday afternoon and evening, and in Efrat in Gush Etzion on Saturday evening.
Party leader Rabbi Dr. Daniel Hershkovitz met with potential voters in Kibbutz Lavi in the Galilee on Wednesday, and will host similar get-togethers in the remaining days before the election on Tuesday in Bat Yam, Hadera, Petach Tikvah, Givatayim and Kirat Motzkin.
Hershkovitz and former party leader MK Zevulun Orlev, who is now #2 on the list, toured the temporary communities of former Gush Katif residents earlier this week, and promised not to enter a government that would not commit itself to a total solution to the problems of the Gush Katif expellees.
Shas: Land Can be Given to Responsible Partner
In other election news, a top Shas official says his party is not against the principle of land concessions.
Communications Minister Ariel Attias of Shas told Arutz-7’s Hebrew station that Shas opposes giving away parts of the Land of Israel when there is no real partner on the other side of the table. However, he is not willing to promise to oppose withdrawals in the event that a “responsible and stable partner” sits opposite Israel at the negotiating table.
“At this point, when we see that there is no one to talk to, certainly we oppose withdrawals, but our striving for peace continues,” Attias said.
Regarding the Education Ministry, Attias said, “I know, as does Party Chairman Eli Yishai, that whoever becomes Prime Minister will not give us the Education Ministry. Our campaign on this issue is aimed at emphasizing the gravely problematic nature of the existing education system, in terms of both values and scholastic achievements.”