Tel-Chai Nation

The National Union and National Religious Party have finally agreed to joining forces in the upcoming elections:

With only hours to go before the deadline, the National Religious Party and National Union announced an election merger, as did the two Ashekanazi hareidi parties.

[...]

At a joint press conference today led by the above five, MK Benny Elon said, "We have united in order to lead the right-wing, and in order to lead the country - no less."

MK Orlev said, "This united list is the best answer to the very bad feeling that the religious-Zionist public has about the continuing assault on its values and institutions. The Kadima government represents a dangerous threat to the Jewish identity of this country, as well as to social justice and values."

And I have to admit that he's got a point there. Just take a look at this to know what I mean:

Rumors have been spreading that if elected Sharon's new Party, Kadima, will launch an aggressive campaign against the orthodox Jewish community and its values.

[...]

Justice Minister, Tzipi Livni a defector from Likud, broke new ground in Israel by bringing disciplinary action against Rabbi David Drukman. Rabbi Drukman's "crime" is his publicly stated opposition to the disengagement. The action against Drukman was urged by the Reform movement's Israel Religious Action Center. They charged (and Livni agreed) that, "Drukman took advantage of his position as a rabbi and civil servant and is not fit to serve in his public position."

Since the establishment of the modern State of Israel many municipal rabbis have voiced their opinions on public affairs but never before has the State moved to silence these religious leaders. This is a very disturbing precedent. Can you imagine what would happen if Kadima ends up winning?

And that's exactly why the party's concerns are quite valid indeed.

More from the Israel National News article:

Unity Despite Differences
The merging of the two parties is a widely-welcomed achievement in the religious-Zionist public, which has signed petitions, sent public figures, taken out newspaper ads and showed in various other ways its desire for unity in the camp. Despite significant differences between the two parties, the leaders finally found the formula - after three months of wrangling - to bridge the divide.

And I gotta agree that that's a very good thing. In a time of emergency, when you've got a war brewing right on your doorstep, with both a terrorist organization and a dictator planning to unleash all hell with a nuclear arsenal, that's why unity is most important for preventing these dangers. Good work!

On a semi-related note, for anyone who can read Hebrew, feel free to check out the following two pages I scanned from HaOlam HaZeh that discuss Ehud Olmert's scandal with Yaakov Nimrodi, which I'd also added to this previous topic as well.

It's very interesting coverage of one of Olmert's unlawful acts from past years.

Others discussing the National Union and NRP's joining together include Yeshayah 62:1, MadZionist Blogoff.