Now it's a fait accompli: we're not running together. Two Sephardic Haredi parties are before us: Shas, and the people are with us. But looking a little deeper, the question arises:
Why not run together?
Between Porush and Litzman, Shlomi Emunim and Gur, there has been a long-standing hatred. Historians will argue, perhaps rightly, that the seeds were already sown in the early days of Agudat Israel, and over the years they have hurt each other more than Shalivid hurt the Haredim. Personal vendettas have skyrocketed. Suffice it to recall Litzman's war against Porush in the Jerusalem municipal elections, and Porush's revenge in removing Litzman from the position of chairman of the Finance Committee.
Nevertheless, they run together.
Have Deri and Yishai already reached the same low point in their relationship? It seems, it seems not, despite all the injustices, Deri offered Yishai the position of number 2, a senior minister. Would we have heard such a proposal in the Ashkenazi party? Or would the phrase 'neither for me nor for you' have been more dominant? So why can't Yishai and Deri unite at least on paper, why punish the entire public in a war that, even if it is just, still claims lives.
Why not run together?
Is the situation better between the two factions of United Torah Judaism, Degel HaTorah and Agudat Yisrael, Hasidim and Lithuanians, who differ already in their names, but also in their language and dress? After all, 'Degel HaTorah' was founded only because of the disgust it felt towards "Agudat Yisrael." Even today, echoes of the debate are still heard about who deserves an additional MK? And why was a 60-40 split created in favor of Agudat Yisrael?
Nevertheless, they run together.
Is the difference between Deri voters and Yishai voters that significant? Are there differences that manifest themselves in residence, institutions, Torah studies, yeshivas, formulas and syllables (except for the Yemenites), clothing, matchmaking? It seems not. Just try to imagine how likely it is that Yishai voters will match with Deri voters relative to the likelihood that a Belza Hasid would match with a Lithuanian or even with a candidate from another Hasidic sect.
Why not run together?
Torah Judaism is run by two different councils, yeshiva heads and rebbes who do not always agree with each other. It often happens that a certain rebbes makes Shabbat for themselves on certain matters. Litzman, Mozes and Eichler each have one rebbes, and almost all the rebbes from ["Golden Pages"] have retired.
Nevertheless, they run together.
And who actually determined that a single "council" was needed? Is the distance between Rabbi Mazuz and Chacham Shalom Cohen, between Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef and Rabbi Amar, greater than the distance between the Rebbe of Slonim and Rabbi Steinman, for example? Is Eli Yishai so right-wing and Deri so left-wing?
Why not run together?
What is the connection between Uri Ariel and Orit Strok, representatives of various Hardelim parties, and Bennett and Ayelet Shaked, except for voting for the conscription law and loyalty to nationalism, maybe they pray... in the same numerology? Not at all! Will they send their children to the same institutions? Certainly not! What connects them? The size of the kippah? No! Head covering? No! Commitment to the Torah? No! Torah opinion? No!
Nevertheless, they run together.
Are Yishai and Deri so different? Are their voters so different? Isn't the education they give their children the same in most ways? Didn't those who will vote for Yishai (from among the Shas supporters) vote for Shas yesterday?
Why not run together?
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