Yeshiva heads mobilize for Smotrich — but it is not clear that the law permits this

The director of the Association of Advanced Yeshivas invited yeshiva heads to a political conference of the Religious Zionism party ahead of the elections. The yeshivas receive funding from the Defense Ministry, and the move raises legal questions about mixing politics with public activity. Some rabbis confirmed attendance, others have not yet responded.

The director of the Association of Advanced Yeshivas, Moshe Gutman, invited yeshiva heads to a political conference of the Religious Zionism party led by Bezalel Smotrich, to be held tomorrow. The yeshivas in the association send students to military service and receive funding from the Defense Ministry, raising the question of whether Gutman is allowed to recruit yeshiva heads for a party event. Among the rabbis who confirmed attendance: Rabbi David Fendel, who said he supports the right and Smotrich and that the economy has strengthened. Rabbi Eli Sadan, head of the Bnei David pre-military preparatory program, was not invited according to his account. Rabbi Chaim Gantz is expected to attend. The move raises questions about the separation between public and political activity, especially given government funding.