New Haredi Party Challenges Rabbinical Authority, Seeks Secular Representation
Translated & summarized from Haaretz by baba
A new Haredi party, "The Haredi Public," held a rally in Jerusalem featuring women speakers and a diverse audience, challenging traditional Haredi political norms. Many attendees expressed a desire for practical representation and a break from established parties, though some fear repercussions. The party aims to establish a sustainable alternative to current Haredi leadership and plans to run candidates in local elections. Meanwhile, established parties like United Torah Judaism and Shas are facing internal disputes and exerting pressure to maintain control.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- A new Haredi party, "The Haredi Public," is challenging established Haredi political leadership.
- The party's rally featured women speakers and a diverse Haredi audience, breaking traditional norms.
- Attendees expressed a desire for practical representation and dissatisfaction with current Haredi parties.
- The new party plans to establish a national movement and run candidates in local elections.
- Established Haredi parties like United Torah Judaism and Shas are experiencing internal disputes.
- Some Haredi individuals fear repercussions for supporting the new party.
A new Haredi political party, "The Haredi Public," is emerging as a significant challenge to the established Haredi parties and their leadership. The party held a rally in Jerusalem where women, including Dr. Nachumi Yaffe and Ziva Glantz, spoke publicly and appeared on large screens, a departure from traditional Haredi norms. The event, attended by approximately a thousand men and women, drew a diverse crowd of Haredi individuals from various streams, a rarity in established Haredi party gatherings.
Many attendees expressed disillusionment with the current Haredi parties, citing a desire for representatives who address practical concerns like relevant education and military service exemptions, and who engage with constituents "at eye level." Some participants admitted to voting for established parties in the past but felt a need for change, with one attendee noting, "Now we can all vote for the Haredi Public." However, there is also significant fear of reprisal, with one participant worried his son might be expelled from his yeshiva if his attendance at the rally became known.
Moti Lightner, the party chairman, declared that the "Haredi Public" represents a segment of the Haredi community tired of the control exerted by "thuggish, arrogant, and disconnected operatives." He urged attendees to vote for the new party, arguing that votes for established parties like Shas and United Torah Judaism are wasted and serve only to maintain the existing system of appointments and jobs for relatives.
The party announced plans to establish a national movement to operate after the elections, aiming to field candidates in local authority elections as well. They have reportedly secured significant funding for this initiative and are focused on building a sustainable alternative to the old Haredi leadership. While established Haredi parties estimate 15,000 votes would be a success for the new party, its organizers are aiming for at least 50,000 votes.
Internal struggles are also evident within the established Haredi parties. Gur Hasidim are reportedly not fully mobilizing for United Torah Judaism due to internal disputes, and a recent directive from their Rebbe, while instructing votes for the party, omitted phrases encouraging active campaigning. Additionally, within the Lithuanian Haredi leadership, there are claims of marginalization by co-leader Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch, who feels he is presented as secondary to Rabbi Dov Lando in party publications. Meanwhile, Shas is reportedly exerting pressure on rabbis to ensure their public support for the party.
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