Porush in Beitar: "We won the first battle, second is ahead of us"

Yesterday (Motzaei Shabbos) hundreds of activists, Bnei Torah and community leaders headed by Knesset members of United Torah Judaism, members of the municipality and the chiefs of headquarters attended a tribute conference for activists, conducted by the management of United Torah Judaism led by Mayor Rabbi Meir Rubinstein.

The city of Betar Illit, was notable in its increase in the number of voters for United Torah Judaism, 8.404 compared with 4.778 votes in previous elections and thereby recorded a record for Hareidi Judaism.

At a Melave Malka held in 'Ateret Hanachal' hall in the city, the speakers were MK Meir Porush, Israel Eichler faction chairman, MK Uri Maklev and the new seventh MK Yaakov Asher, Secretary General of Agudath Israel and deputy Mayor of Bnei Brak, Chanoch Zeibert. Deputy Mayor and Chairman of the United Torah Judaism, Yosef Shitrit, director of election day headquarters and municipal board member Binyamin Hershler and chairman of Degel Hatorah, member of the municipality, Yitzchak Ravitz.

Others who participated were Vice Mayor Yaakov Weingarten, city council members, campaign manager Aharon Abeles, Mendi Schwartz, David Zaide, Shimon Leff, Yehoshua Pollack, Vice Mayor of Elad Yisrael Porush, chairman of Agudath Yisrael Modi'in Illit Nachman Benshayah and chairman of Degel HaTorah branch in Beitar Illit Binyamin Hyman.

The event was opened and chaired by Moshe Friedman. MK Porush said that "at a meeting held by the United Torah Judaism with Israeli President Shimon Peres Itold him, if half a million people feel they are returning to the days of the Inquisition, dark days, they are ready to give up their lives.

"We won," he said, "in the first act, and now we stand at the threshold of a great battle. Thanks to you we are in front, united, cohesive - as one man with one heart, in face of those who want to uproot everything."

MK Maklev praised the impressive achievement that should be attributed primarily to the unity between all residents of the city. The complete obedience to the Rabbonim, Gedolim of Torah and Chassidus shlit"a and the sense of responsibility surrounding the activists during this most critical campaign – "so that it should not be forgotten from his offspring".

MK Eichler said that he was just back from a difficult confrontation in the media. He sketched the battle lines ahead and expressed his confidence that only through unity we can, with G-d's help, ward off the harsh attack against the Torah and its learners.

MK Asher said he was aware of the responsibility placed on his shoulders. He praised the unity revealed in its glory during the days of the campaign for the polls and which achieved impressive accomplishments. Harav Asher promised to serve as a cover for all heads of local authorities in Israel, religious and secular alike.

Mayor Meir Rubinstein said, "already a week before the elections I saw the 'fire in the eyes', as they say, in the eyes of activits of United Torah Judaism, without exception, I realized that we face an unprecedented success. I anticipated we will pass the 8000 votes, almost double the power of the United Torah Judaism and so B"H it happened. The Jewish world found out that residents of Beitar Illit showed undisputed compliance with Maronon Verabonon, Gedolei Yisroel shlit"a. All the holy communities and the Bnei Torah in the city worked with impressive unity and showed praiseworthy dedication.

"I mentioned before and I repeat it here before you; the growth is particularly impressive given the fact that we have not had the privilege in recent years for massive building following the freeze orders imposed on construction in the city, and thus this is exhausting the potential of voices, and professional and dedicated work of community leaders, of the Bnei Torah and heartily devoted activists".

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!