Continuing to stir controversy, Knesset Member Yisrael Eichler addressed the issue today (Tuesday) during a ceremony for placing a mezuzah at the headquarters of the Agudat Yisrael organization in Jerusalem, referring to the decline in the party's strength in the recent municipal elections. He said, "We came out of the last elections with a bitter taste, due to the decrease in mandates. This taste has lasted for 5 years," Eichler stated.
He also said, "The famous saying of Maran HaChazon Ish, 'Many Torah institutions depend on this,' was not only about the Knesset elections but specifically about the elections for the municipality of Bnei Brak. Various religious parties competed there, mainly. Agudat Yisrael needs to succeed, not just for the sake of its own constituents but because many Torah institutions depend on it."
The regime is persecuting us
During the speech, he also voiced additional criticism of the Israeli government, saying, "Our spiritual existence is not guaranteed, given the oppressive regime that scrutinizes us. They are pursuing us and seeking to assess our strength, for better or for worse. Thank God, we have a mayor in Jerusalem who manages things well, but he too needs to recognize that we are a large and significant community."
In conclusion, he stated, "The decline of Agudat Yisrael in Jerusalem has come at a high cost to us in public service in the past term. There is a large and devout community that did not vote for us, and we can and should bring them back into the fold to vote for us."
