Senior United Torah Judaism lawmaker Meir Porush has resigned his government role as the minister overseeing the annual Jewish pilgrimage to Mount Meron, amid Haredi political protests over a lack of government support for ultra-Orthodox budgetary requests.
In a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Porush says he made the decision due to a lack of authority, claiming that the annual event, which draws hundreds of thousands to a northern shrine for a single night, was being organized by an outside firm which he had no role in choosing.
United Torah Judaism MK Meir Porush handcuffs himself to the microphone on the lectern in the Knesset plenum, during a speech about efforts to draft Haredim, on Tuesday, July 23, 2013. (photo credit: Flash90)
The Kikar Hashabbat news website reports that Porush is also considering quitting the cabinet. His letter notes that he only agreed to become a minister because of a legal ruling that only a minister could oversee the Meron pilgrimage.
The pilgrimage was the scene of Israel’s worst-ever civilian disaster in 2021, when 45 people were killed in a crush caused by overcrowding on a faulty walkway.
The announcement comes as Haredi parties have expressed anger over a lack of budget earmarks for Haredi education and public transportation in areas where many ultra-Orthodox people live.
An unnamed lawmaker from UTJ tells Army Radio that he may vote against the budget.
Bridging the US-Israel divide
While the heart of The Times of Israel’s work takes place in Israel, so many of Jerusalem’s actions are influenced by those in Washington’s halls of power.
As ToI’s US bureau chief, I work to gain access to decision-makers in the United States government so our readers can understand the US-Israel relationship beyond the platitudes evident in public statements.
I'm proud of our ability to inform without sensationalizing, our dedication to be fast while ensuring accuracy, and our determination to present Israel's entire, complex story.
Your support through The Times of Israel Community helps us continue to keep readers around the world properly informed about the critical Israel-US relationship. Do you appreciate our news coverage? If so, please join the ToI Community today.
- Jacob Magid, The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
Yes, I'll join
Yes, I'll join
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this
You're a dedicated reader
We’re really pleased that you’ve read X Times of Israel articles in the past month.
That’s why we started the Times of Israel eleven years ago - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.
So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we haven’t put up a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.
For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members.
Thank you,
David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel
Join Our Community
Join Our Community
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this