Degel Hatorah faction spiritual leader Rabbi Dov Lando delivered an address in Tiberias in which he implied that the party may leave Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc and is not committed to any politician.
"Torah study and dealing in Torah are the most sublime things in the world; 'The study of Torah is equal to all the commandments.' We all know that the Torah world is in a very serious condition, and the persecution by the authorities weighs on Torah world day by day, and every single Torah student feels the yoke of the decrees.
"We do not depend on so-and-so, or this or that prime minister, only on the Creator of the Universe, and we all expect and hope that he will have mercy on his nation, particularly on the Torah world," Rabbi Lando stated.
Meanwhile, Degel Hatorah itself could undergo significant changes before the candidate lists close next week. Talks between the offices of Lithuanian haredi leaders Rabbi Dov Lando and Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch have included discussions on replacing some of the party’s Knesset representatives, led by Moshe Gafni and Uri Maklev.
If the move goes ahead, MK Yaakov Asher, who is considered close to Rabbi Lando’s circle, is expected to head the Lithuanian haredi party.