Porush Calls for Charedi Unity Amid Draft Crisis

MK Meir Porush, chairman of Shlomei Emunim, called Tuesday night for Charedi political leaders to unite in the face of what he described as one of the gravest crises facing the Torah world since the establishment of the state.

Speaking at a sheva brachos event in Bnei Brak with local community leaders, Porush said the Charedi public is facing an escalating series of challenges, particularly around the draft crisis and the government’s handling of yeshiva students.

“There is almost no day whose curse is not greater than the one before it,” Porush said. “Charedi Jewry has not had problems this severe since the founding of the state.”

Porush placed much of the blame on Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, accusing her of driving the policy line against the Charedi public while other state bodies follow her lead. He argued that the current moment requires Charedi unity rather than fragmented political action.

“The attorney general has taken control of everyone, and they are being dragged after her,” Porush said. “In such a period, unity is required. Am Yisrael is in trouble. If we do not know how to unite and take the right actions, then God forbid what could happen. Our call is: let us unite.”

The remarks were made at a celebration hosted by Shlomei Emunim for the wedding of the daughter of Bnei Brak Deputy Mayor Yossi Yaakobovitz.

Porush’s call follows a similar appeal from Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, who last week urged United Torah Judaism to establish a joint command center to manage the campaign over the draft crisis. Deri called for the parties to “join hands” and coordinate both public messaging and operational steps in order to protect the Torah world.

According to Deri, the proposed effort would include broad hasbara and public action aimed at changing the atmosphere in Israeli society, so that yeshiva students can continue to walk “with heads held high” even amid rising public and legal pressure.

Deri said the current mood on the streets is temporary and described it as a period of “hester panim,” adding that he believes the situation will soon return to its proper place.

Porush’s remarks reflect growing concern among Charedi leaders that the draft crisis, daycare subsidy dispute and pressure on yeshiva budgets are converging into a single political and social emergency. His message was that the Charedi parties can no longer afford to act separately.