Subscribe to Print Edition | Fri., December 26, 2008 Kislev 29, 5769 | | Israel Time: 01:55 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage web haaretz.com Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File

At Habayit Hayehudi, ideology is one thing - and politics is quite another By Nadav Shragai Tags: Habayit Hayeudit, Knesset  When Maj. Gen. (res.) Ya'akov Amidror agreed to chair the public council that would put together the list of Knesset candidates for the new party Habayit Hayehudi ("The Jewish Home"), he had no idea how hard the task would be. Now he knows. "Orthodox politicians have egos, too," he says. "Combine that with the ideological dimension, which in the Orthodox community is a way of life and not just something you spout off, and you'll get an explanation for what happened," he says, referring to cracks and rancor in the party, founded just a month ago. "A split will only increase the ruination, and will set religious Zionism back years," Amidror warns. He sees the headlines about Habayit Hayehudi, whose "walls are collapsing," and is aware of the feeling of disgust supporters had when they heard the mutual recriminations exchanged on Tuesday by Zevulon Orlev, Effi Eitam and Uri Ariel that they were "prostituting themselves." Advertisement "In light of what is going on, a harsh impression is definitely appropriate," Amidror said. Now that Moledet, Ahi and the National Religious Women's organization have turned their backs on the new party, the biggest split on the agenda is the departure of Tekuma, and its leader Uri Ariel, who is to the right of Habayit Hayehudi. Ariel and Tekuma are pressing for change in the Knesset list, but Amidror is standing tough: "The list will not change. The desire to change the party list to one that mainly suits people who live between Hebron and Beit El is a strategic mistake," Amidror said. He pointed out that most observant Jews do not live in the territories, and that in any case "six of the first 10 names on the list are settlers, selected for who they are, not where they live." Neither is Amidror ready to knuckle under to another demand that has come up recently: Reserving a slot for Ariel that might ensure his becoming the party's second minister, or deputy chairman of the party, or the right of veto in the framework of a triumvirate consisting of Ariel, Orlev and the chairman, Prof. Daniel Hershkovitz. "They are trying to drag us there, but functions have been outlined by the MKs in an agreement among themselves, and we as a public council will not intervene," Amidror says. Attempts at mediation between Ariel and Tekuma and Habayit Hayehudi are underway, and likely to continue until Sunday, the last day to submit the lists. MK Aryeh Eldad, the leader of the Hatikva party, says he would give up his place on the list for Ariel if it would help. Eldad says he is ashamed at what is happening in Habayit Hayehudi. "Uri has to come to us. I think he understands, as Baruch Marzel put it, that 'the three thin cows of the National Religious party [the NRP's three MKs in the outgoing Knesset] have swallowed the six fat cows of the National Union [the six MKs in that party in the outgoing Knesset].'" Eldad says the "bite" was too big, and the NRP is "choking." He also says he does not discount Marzel as a partner in a right-wing array, as long as Marzel signs a declaration of loyalty not only to "the Land of Israel, but to the State of Israel." MK Nissan Slomiansky, one of the mediators who is trying to prevent Ariel from bolting the party, says the splits in the party are "suicide in broad daylight. First we burn our own house, then we talk about whether to join the fire brigade." Baruch Marzel, the far-right leader of the National Jewish Front party, hopes to make electoral gains out of the goings-on in Habayit Hayehudi. Marzel says he would give a medal to Amidror for "uncovering the stupidity and colossal lack of ability of this political leadership." Meanwhile, within Tekumah, the confusion and tumult are obvious. MK Zvi Hendel and former MK Hanan Porat, as well as Rabbi Zalman Melamed, head of the large Beit El yeshiva, oppose a split, but Rabbi Dov Lior, chairman of the Yesha rabbinic council and chief rabbi of Kiryat Arba, along with some of Ariel's advisers, are advocating it. Although Slomiansky says he believes he has a chance to keep Ariel in the fold, Ariel himself is apparently tending toward leaving, although he reportedly still has not decided. Despite it all, a survey commissioned by Tekumah a few days ago shows that a Tekuma-Moledet-Hatikva bloc has a chance of attaining the minimum number of votes for a Knesset seat, and even more. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Not so funny Jewish groups condemn a Belgian public broadcaster for airing Holocaust jokes. An endless nightmare An Indian paper reports the Mumbai terrorists tortured their Chabad House victims.

Read & React Jewish parents deny Arab girl place in Jezreel Valley daycare Responses: 168 IDF assault on Hamas approved after massive Gaza rocket barrage Responses: 112 ANALYSIS / Hamas seems to believe Jews 'understand only force' Responses: 102 Israel Harel: IDF should deliver Hamas mortal blow for every rocket fired Responses: 31 More Headlines 20:20 Lebanon army: 7 missiles ready to be fired at Israel found in south Lebanon 21:13 Grad missile, 5 Qassams strike Negev as IDF readies to hit back 01:07 Barak warns: Hamas will pay a 'heavy price' 01:45 How did Assad manage to gain international respect? 20:47 Ahmadinejad Christmas address to U.K. viewers sparks angry row 01:13 Report: Mumbai terrorists badly tortured Chabad House victims 19:48 Israel sentences PFLP leader to 30 years in prison 15:31 Jewish groups blast Belgian TV for comic's Holocaust jokes 13:15 Tourists flock to Bethlehem as city basks in Christmas spotlight 14:24 ANALYSIS / Hamas seems to believe Jews 'understand only force' 19:36 Nobel-laureate playwright Harold Pinter dies aged 78 18:52 Ministry slams government decision to cut back on school security 14:55 Terrorists go digital, using iPhones, Google to coordinate attacks 10:53 Leftist Meretz issues rare call for military action against Hamas 14:22 Police suspect Bnei Brak woman killed friend then reported death 05:15 Bones found at rabbi's tomb on Mount Meron ignite uproar 18:26 After 4,300 years, pharaonic tombs unearthed in Egypt Previous Editions Select Day 25 dec 24 dec 23 dec 22 dec 21 dec 19 dec 18 dec 17 dec 16 dec 15 dec 14 dec 12 dec

Special Offers Advertisement Summer in Israel Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009 SURF RAMBAM Keep current about new-wave medical care, education and research. Summer Camp in Israel The best place for your children this summer Academic Studies in Israel All the Q & A at the IDC HERZLIYA Open House, January 9,2009 Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. Car rental in Israel Shlomo Sixt Receive $15.00 from our low rates. Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Jewish Singles Personal Ads Find the love of your life on JDate.com Hebrew Summer courses From $39.95 Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel

birthright Israel | Search engine marketing

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved