Likud Presses Small Parties to Withdraw Ahead of Elections
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
The Likud party is pressuring smaller parties, including "HaTzibur HaCharedi," to withdraw from the upcoming elections to consolidate the right-wing bloc. Likud campaign manager Zvika Brot offered "HaTzibur HaCharedi" chairman Moti Leitner a significant project management role, which Leitner has conditioned on guarantees from established Haredi parties. Similar pressures are being applied to other small parties, with some, like "Noam," reportedly refusing to withdraw. "HaTzibur HaCharedi" insists it will run until the end, demanding reforms from other Haredi parties as a prerequisite for any negotiations.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Likud is pressuring "HaTzibur HaCharedi" to withdraw from elections, offering a project manager role with a large budget.
- Moti Leitner, chairman of "HaTzibur HaCharedi," demands guarantees from established Haredi parties before considering withdrawal.
- The Likud campaign manager, Zvika Brot, is leading the negotiations to consolidate the right-wing bloc.
- Other small parties, including "Am Israel" and "Noam," are also facing pressure to withdraw.
- "HaTzibur HaCharedi" claims it will run until the end and seeks reforms in education and conscription.
- The party accuses elements of the right-wing bloc of succumbing to pressure from Shas and United Torah Judaism.
The Likud party is intensifying efforts to persuade smaller parties, particularly within the religious sector, to withdraw from the upcoming elections, aiming to prevent the fragmentation of votes within the right-wing bloc. Zvika Brot, the Likud's campaign manager, met on Monday with Moti Leitner, chairman of the "HaTzibur HaCharedi" party, presenting an offer for Leitner to become a project manager with a budget of hundreds of millions of shekels. This position would involve responsibility for establishing state-religious educational institutions and integrating Haredim into the workforce, contingent on Benjamin Netanyahu forming the next government. The proposal was reportedly formulated by Omer Rahamim, campaign manager for the Religious Zionism party, representing its chairman Bezalel Smotrich.
Leitner initially rejected the offer, but Likud representatives continued to press the issue. While Likud and "HaTzibur HaCharedi" deny discussions about ministerial positions, Leitner expressed a willingness to consider a deal only if he receives guarantees from established Haredi parties that they would not obstruct his initiatives. He faces a dilemma: running independently might result in a small number of votes, leading to accusations of wasting votes from both the Likud and other Haredi parties. Accepting a government role could be perceived by his supporters as a "job deal" and a betrayal of his reformist agenda.
These pressures are part of a broader strategy to consolidate the right-wing bloc, which is concerned about smaller parties failing to cross the electoral threshold and thus wasting votes. Similar pressure is being applied to other small parties, including "Am Israel" led by Ofer Vinter and "HaMeyulamim-HaKalkalait" led by Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Zelekha. Additionally, Prime Minister Netanyahu's office attempted to arrange a meeting with Rabbi Tzvi Tau, spiritual patron of the "Noam" party led by Avi Maoz, to encourage their withdrawal, but this request was reportedly denied.
"HaTzibur HaCharedi" stated that they are running until the end and are not negotiating a withdrawal. They reiterated their demand for commitments from major Haredi parties to allow reforms, such as opening schools teaching math and English and facilitating a tailored conscription plan for Haredim, which they claim has been refused. The party expressed regret that elements within the right-wing bloc are succumbing to pressure from Shas and United Torah Judaism leaders, instead of supporting their reformist platform, and predicted they would be the surprise of the elections.
Mentioned
