A proposal to split from United Torah Judaism and establish a new haredi political party was presented to a representative of the Gur Hasidic movement last week, but has been turned down. Members of the Jerusalem Faction (a haredi group that opposes any cooperation with Israel's military draft) along with several rabbis and political operatives, suggested creating a new political framework that would take a more uncompromising stance against conscription of ultra-Orthodox men.
The meeting took place late Thursday night at the home of Eliyahu Goldshtoff, a figure associated with the Jerusalem Faction. Participants proposed that Gur withdraw from United Torah Judaism and instead form a joint party with the Jerusalem Faction and other groups opposed to haredi military service.
According to those behind the initiative, the advantage of such a move would be bringing an additional Knesset seat into play by mobilizing voters who currently do not participate in elections. They argued that a new party list could capture votes that are not currently going to United Torah Judaism or any other party.
However, Moti Babchik, who attended on behalf of Gur, rejected the proposal. Instead of forming a new party, he suggested the participants support United Torah Judaism, arguing that the party already shares their position in opposing conscription.
