Shas MK Slams Haredi Party Leader Over Rabbinical Endorsement Dispute

A heated exchange erupted at the Knesset elections committee between MK Erez Malul of the Shas party and Moti Leitner, chairman of the "Haredi Public" party, over the legitimacy of running a political slate without explicit rabbinical backing. Malul accused Leitner of "chutzpah" for pursuing an independent political path without the clear support of prominent rabbis, emphasizing the importance of "faith in sages" within the Haredi community, particularly for those of Sephardic heritage.

Leitner vehemently rejected the criticism, asserting that his party has a "large council of rabbis" and the support of hundreds of other rabbis. He argued that in a time when the Haredi public is distressed by perceived disrespect towards Torah scholars, such accusations are misplaced. Leitner stated he has spent the past year meeting with rabbis and rabbinical judges who encouraged him to proceed with his political initiative.

The confrontation highlighted a significant rift within the Haredi sector regarding the necessity of explicit endorsement from leading rabbis for political endeavors. The "Haredi Public" party aims to offer a new, independent Haredi voice focused on issues like Torah study, education, housing, and livelihoods.

Earlier this week, negotiations between Leitner's party and Ofer Winter's "Am Israel" party failed, with Leitner demanding the fourth spot on the list and Winter offering ninth. Additionally, Dr. Nehumi Yaffe, a political psychology researcher from Harvard University, joined Leitner's party, a rare move for a Haredi party seeking to include a woman on its Knesset list.