The Agudat Israel party has decided to form its own labor organization following the break in relations between the Agudah and the Poalei Agudat Israel workers party, when the latter joined the Government coalition, it was reported here today.
At the same time, a staunch supporter of Agudah, the Rebbe of Gur, has ordered all his followers to turn in their Poalei Agudah membership cards and to cease reading “Shearim,” the morning paper published by the Agudah Workers party.
The Moetzet Gdolei Hatorah, the Council of Sages, denounced the Poalei Agudat Israel faction for Joining the Government. Poalei Agudah’s three Knesset members Joined the coalition in which party leader Binyamin Mintz became Minister for Posts.
The Council declared that by Joining the coalition, the Poalei Agudat Israel excluded itself from the ranks of the Orthodox, thus forfeiting the right to bear the name of Agudah. The Council expressed regret and “deep hurt” that Agudah workers had joined the Government, and said this move was the last in a series of acts against the spirit of the Council. The Council called on all members of both ultra-orthodox bodies to rally around the parent Agudat Israel party.
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