As political contacts intensify and coalition negotiations take shape, MK Yaakov Asher, chairman of United Torah Judaism, is drawing clear red lines and sending a firm message to all sides of the political map.
In an interview with Kikar HaShabbat, Asher made clear that his party will not join any government that does not commit in advance to fully meeting three core demands of the chareidi public.
He laid out these three principles:
- Regulating the status of bnei yeshiva: A comprehensive solution to the draft issue for yeshiva bochurim and kollel avreichim. "This matter must be arranged, and without it there will be nothing," he stated.
- Autonomy for chareidi education: Preventing any attempt to condition budgets or interfere with curriculum content. "That no one should try to think that he will educate our children, and if we don't do as he tells us, he will withhold budgets from us."
- Preserving the status quo on religion and state: Asher emphasised that this is not only about protecting chareidi areas: "Status quo on matters of religion and state is our responsibility to preserve the character of the entire state, not to protect Bnei Brak and the chareidi neighbourhoods in Jerusalem, but responsibility for everything."
When asked whether this is an advance commitment required from any party with which they will negotiate, he was unequivocal: "Without these conditions we won't be partners with anyone. Period."
Asked about the prospects for the understandings and talks reported in recent days with the change bloc, and whether there is sufficient assurance that would replace legislation of the law before the government is formed, he declined to commit to a specific scenario or provide predictions: "Be patient, sir. I don't like to bet on anything, we're against gambling altogether."
