Aliza Bloch Eyes National Politics, Focusing on Education and Arab-Israeli Integration

Former Beit Shemesh mayor Aliza Bloch is weighing a move into national politics, with two central priorities: education and the integration of Haredi society into Israeli life. She is also considering several political formats, including joining an existing party, aligning with a new political framework, or running independently. A decision is expected in the near future.

Bloch has become closely associated with promoting educational models in Beit Shemesh that give Haredi schools state-like characteristics. Her public approach emphasizes cooperation with the Haredi community rather than confrontation or coercion, and she wants to expand that model nationwide.

She is also stressing the need to put the periphery on the public agenda. For the past two years, she has lived part of the time in Kiryat Shmona, which she says has deepened her engagement with the gaps between Israel’s center and its outlying regions. She argues that peripheral communities are not sufficiently represented today.

Bloch has been holding talks with multiple political figures as part of the search for the right political vehicle. Among the names mentioned are Benny Gantz, Yuli Edelstein, Chili Tropper and Gideon Sa’ar, along with others. The article says she brings experience, influence, and appeal to national-religious voters who do not see the Religious Zionism party as their political home.