Calls to Join the Likud Gain Major Steam: Rabbi Miki Yosefi Signs On

With the launching of the Tnu'ah LeHa'atzamat HaMachaneh HaLeumi, or "Movement for the Strengthening of the National Camp," the campaign to get nationalist voters to sign up to join the Likud Party en masse is picking up some major steam.

The movement is an initiative of the right flank of the Likud, including MK's Danny Danon, Tzipi Hotoveli, Yariv Levine, and Minister of Galilee Development Ayoub Kara. And, of course, cheering on in the background is Moshe Feiglin. Using the site, you can easily sign up for the Likud securely and instantly for only 64 shekels (96 for a couple), which will give you the ability to vote in internal Likud elections. It is the only time in Israeli politics that you can actually vote for a living, breathing person. But if you don't sign up, you have no say, and complaining that the Likud isn't true to nationalist Jewish values will be your own problem, so don't complain.

Included on Haleumi.org are articles by prominent leaders urging the nationalist public to join Likud as soon as possible, which, given that it takes about 20 seconds, should probably be in the next minute. One article featured is by the editor-in-chief of the Arutz Sheva newspaper בשבע, Emanuel Shiloh. Another, which was just published today, I have translated and posted here. It is a call from Rabbi Miki Yosefi for all those concerned about the future of the country to quickly sign up and have the right to vote.

On to the article, the original of which can be found here.

Rabbi Miki Yosefi: Sign up for the Likud
Rabbi Miki Yosefi has signed on to a campaign encouraging joining the Likud party. "It stems from an understanding that we are part of the nation," he said.

11 Elul 5769 - Yishai Friedman

Rabbi Miki Yosefi is calling upon the public to join politics and the ruling party, 'the Likud'. In a public call that was put out last week by 'The Movement for the Strengthening of the National Camp' endorsed by Likud Knesset members Tzipi Hotoveli, Yariv Levine, Ayoub Kara, and Danny Danon; and Rabbis Uri Amos Sharki, Mordecai Rabinovitch and Dudi Schpitz, Rabbi Miki Yosefi's name is now aboard. It is the first time that Yosefi has formally announced his support for any political party whatsoever.

Rabbi Yosefi enjoys much adoration among the Religious Zionist public and his classes are very popular with the youth. Yosefi also heads 'Yishuv HaDa'at,' a "center for the renewal of the body and soul in the spirit of the Torah and the ancient Hebrew tradition," based in Shiloh in the southern Shomron.

In the call he wrote that "The nation of Israel is today subject to tremendous pressures from the outside. International pressure is joining together with the most hostile positions against the State of Israel. This pressure expresses itself not only on the practical level, but it is also attempting to undermine the Jewish Nation's right to dwell in its most significant of birthplaces with regard to its national identity: Judea, Samaria, and Jerusalem.

He continues to write that "At this crucial time, political involvement is demanded of the nationalist public so that it can place itself at the truly pivotal and influential positions for the State of Israel." And the conclusion: "There is no reason to despair from politics. We simply need to understand the most effective and influential pressure points of the political system. Today, the ruling party is the place where the critical decisions are being made for the State of Israel, and it is our duty to be there, to influence, and to lead. Now is the time to join the Likud. Now is the time to sign up and be counted.

Rabbi Yosefi: Why politics all of the sudden?

"I think it's appropriate, a valuable thing. It's a very effective platform."

Specifically the Likud?

To my understanding, yes. But that doesn't negate other people's opinions.

In your opinion, small parties have no influence? Only the Likud can?

Not only that. [The Likud] is our natural community. We belong to it. It stems from an understanding that we are part of a nation and not part of a Shtetl. The question is, What group are we considering? Is it the narrow community or the Shteibel, or is it the entire National Camp, meaning everyone who cares and loves the country?

This is the first time that you are calling for political action. Why now?

I still aspire to be apolitical, but I think this is appropriate, as I said, but I will continue with my work independent of politics. That is to say, it's possible to make the statement and continue with your everyday routine.