Habayit Hayehudi leadership candidates MK Zevulun Orlev and Science and
Technology Minister Daniel Herschkowitz on Sunday emphasized the importance of a
united national- religious list with the National Union.
Orlev’s and
Herschkowitz’s statements came after a party source told The Jerusalem Post that
third Habayit Hayehudi leadership candidate Naftali Bennett said he only wants
MK Uri Ariel (National Union) as second on a joint Knesset candidates list,
without National Union leader Ya’acov Katz and MKs Arieh Eldad and Michael
Ben-Ari.
“This is one of a long line of irresponsible statements about
personalities in religious Zionism and the prime minister that could split
national-religious voters and leave Habayit Hayehudi in the opposition,”
Herschkowitz said.
The minister added that Bennett clashed with many
people who worked with him in the past, and that Habayit Hayehudit needs
responsible leadership.
Orlev would not refer to Bennett directly, saying
only that there is “a great, critical and strategic importance to a united list
with the National Union.”
He continued, “I am sure that someone with
political experience, like me, can translate this vision into reality,” the MK
of 13 years and former minister stated. “When I am elected, I will immediately
begin a marathon of talks to bring a signed agreement [between the two parties]
as soon as possible.”
Orlev also said each party will pick its own
representatives on the list, and that he does not reject any National Union
MK.
Anglo candidates for the Habayit Hayehudi list Ari Abramowitz and
Jeremy Gimpel said that they would only endorse a leadership candidate who
agrees to a joint run with the National Union, even if that means risking losing
a seat in the Knesset.
“The most critical challenge facing our camp today
is unity, and we will do everything in our power to make sure this happens,”
they said. “The difference between one unified block and small independent
parties is the difference between relevance and irrelevance, during a time when
the nation needs to hear our voice more than ever before.”
On Sunday,
Bennett responded to the outrage over his opponents’ statements by posting on
his Facebook and Twitter accounts: “Let there be no doubt – I support and push
for a united camp and unity with the National Union, and I will act with all of
my power for it to happen. I do not reject
anyone. Period.”
However, commenters on his Facebook page were
skeptical.
“There are rumors that you want to make Uri Ariel your No. 2,
and throw out all the rest,” a Facebook fan wrote. “Is that the unity you mean?”
Several people asked Bennett to write specifically that he would include Eldad
and Ben- Ari.
“Friends, I do not reject anyone,” Bennett
responded.
Meanwhile, Beit El Chief Rabbi Shlomo Aviner, one of religious
Zionism’s spiritual leaders and head of the Ateret Yerushalayim yeshiva, threw
his support behind Bennett, saying he can make Habayit Hayehudi’s ideals a
reality.
“Despite the personal qualities of the current Habayit Hayehudi
MKs and their important achievements, we do not see that they are able to
promote the party,” Aviner said. “Therefore, a change of personnel is
necessary.”
Aviner praised Bennet and Ayelet Shaked, a secular woman
running with Bennett, calling them very talented, with a long-term vision and
proven successes in leadership positions, as well as good character traits and
ideals.
Bennett’s campaign said over 1,000 people joined Habayit Hayehudi via his website after Aviner’s letter of support was publicized, most within the first hour, leading his site to crash.
“If the site hadn’t broken down, many more people would have joined the party,” Bennet’s campaign said. “We will make sure to get to those who couldn’t sign up, and call for them to try again.”