Ultra-Orthodox faction removes ban on women from running on its slate

The ultra-Orthodox Knesset faction Agudath Israel — one of the two factions that make up the United Torah Judaism party — announces its top names on its slate in the upcoming elections.

The current leader, Deputy Health Minister Yaakov Litzman, remains in the top spot, followed by MK Meir Porush, Yaakov Tesler and MK Yisrael Eichler. The next spots will be determined at a later date.

Tesler is the only new face on the ticket, a younger member of the Vizhnitz Hasidic dynasty replacing MK Menachem Eliezer Mozes, who has been a lawmaker for 10 years.

The faction’s central committee has also unanimously decided to remove a clause that prevented women from being featured on the faction’s slate — a move required by the High Court of Justice, but which party leaders have said will not have any effect in practice.

Deputy Health Minister Yaakov Litzman arrives to the weekly cabinet meeting at the PM’s office in Jerusalem, on June 3, 2018. (Marc Israel Sellem/POOL)