The Degel HaTorah Board met at party headquarters in Bnei
Brak to discuss issues currently on the agenda.
The meeting opened with a survey by Party Chairman MK Rabbi
Avrohom Ravitz of his trip abroad in order to assist
kollel families in Eretz Yisroel as well as future
plans in this area. Later Rabbi Ravitz reported to Party
Secretary MK Rabbi Moshe Gafni on political developments and
the Prime Minister's proposals for a coalition, which UTJ
rejected.
During the meeting the board members decided that party
representatives would make every effort to advance the issues
considered important to UTJ, namely issues affecting chareidi
education and the legislation need to promote them.
Much of the board members' attention was focused on the
housing crisis in the chareidi sector. The speakers noted
that Degel HaTorah has been the leading movement in providing
housing solutions over the past 15 years and thousands of
units were built by Degel HaTorah associations during Rabbi
Ravitz' term as Construction and Housing Minister. The
speakers also said that during this same period Degel HaTorah
helped build Modi'in Illit, Beitar Illit, Elad, new
neighborhoods in Petach Tikva and Beit Shemesh as well as
Jerusalem's Ramat Shlomo neighborhood. In certain instances,
Binyan Shalem, which organized various housing projects,
returned large sums of money to apartment purchasers, thereby
sanctifying Sheim Shomayim.
All of these projects diminished the housing crisis however,
due to blessed natural population growth, another housing
crisis has developed. UTJ representatives agreed to work to
find a solution.
They also agreed to realize the Construction and Housing
Ministry's pledge to allocate land in the town of Charish for
associations set up by Degel HaTorah and to locate other
building sites. The board members also discussed a demand to
the government to resume granting housing grants, which
alleviated the financial strain on many families and young
couples.
The meeting ended with a review of the Municipal Department
under the direction of Rabbi Menachem Shapira and the
meetings party heads are holding at branches around the
country, the setup and renewal of local boards and plans to
start bureaus for public inquiries in various locations.
