Journalist Reveals Plan to Vote for New Haredi Party
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Journalist Ariel Shenhav announced he will vote for the new "Haredi Public" party in the upcoming 2026 elections, citing concerns over Haredi influence on Israeli society and economy. He believes the party's platform, which mandates military service for those not engaged in full-time Torah study, offers a viable alternative to the current political establishment. Shenhav dismissed concerns about the party failing to pass the electoral threshold, arguing that even a small showing would be historically significant. He also criticized existing parties for their perceived failures in addressing these issues.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Journalist Ariel Shenhav will vote for the new "Haredi Public" party in the 2026 elections.
- Shenhav cites the destructive influence of Haredi deal-making on Israel's economy and morality as a key reason.
- The "Haredi Public" party mandates military service for those not engaged in full-time Torah study.
- Shenhav believes even a small vote share for the party would be historically significant.
- He criticized current coalition parties for their subservience to Haredi interests.
- Shenhav dismissed center-left parties and questioned the political moves of Ofer Winter.
Ahead of the October 27, 2026 elections, "Makor Rishon" journalist Ariel Shenhav has announced his intention to vote for the "Haredi Public" party, identified by the ballot letters "ZCH." Shenhav stated this is not a prank but a deliberate political decision stemming from his assessment of the current political landscape.
Shenhav explained that he believes no existing party fully represents the broader public's needs. He prioritizes combating what he terms the "destructive" influence of Haredi "deal-making" on Israel's economy and national morality, viewing it as a significant internal existential threat. He criticized current coalition parties for their perceived subservience to Haredi interests, accepting unchecked budgets and perpetuating draft exemptions.
He also dismissed center-left parties focused solely on opposing Netanyahu, expressing doubt that figures like Izankot, Bennett, or Lieberman would refuse to include Haredi parties in a future coalition. Shenhav found Ofer Winter's alignment with Netanyahu to be a puzzling and disappointing political move.
Shenhav views the "Haredi Public" party as offering a more sensible approach. While supporting Torah study for those dedicated to it, the party explicitly states that those not studying must enlist in the army. Shenhav believes this policy could revitalize the Israeli economy and bring about profound change.
Addressing concerns about the party failing to pass the electoral threshold, Shenhav argued that even gaining a small percentage of votes would be historically significant. He believes securing two percent would demonstrate to tens of thousands of Haredi citizens disillusioned with the current Haredi leadership that a genuine alternative exists, laying a foundation for future electoral success. He concluded by downplaying the importance of sectoral identity, emphasizing the courage the vote represents, with a minor consideration for potentially voting for Yoav Hendel before his partnerships dissolved.
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