New Haredi Party Urged to Withdraw Ahead of Elections

A new political party, 'HaTzibur HaHaredi' (The Haredi Public), has emerged as a significant development in the current election cycle, born from the genuine distress of a large segment of the Haredi community. This group feels that the established Haredi political system has long failed to adequately address their needs, including representation for working Haredim, educational institutions aligned with their lifestyle, employment opportunities, and the ability to earn a dignified living while preserving their Haredi identity. The party's founders, including Motty Leitner, initially sought integration into existing Haredi parties like United Torah Judaism and Shas, formally requesting representation in August. When their demands were unmet, they launched their own independent bid.

The emergence of 'HaTzibur HaHaredi' has spurred a noticeable shift within the established Haredi political landscape. Knesset members Moshe Gafni and Uri Maklev have made way for new leadership, with Yaakov Asher now heading Degel HaTorah's parliamentary leadership. This change, coupled with the challenge posed by the new party and the growing recognition of the working Haredi demographic, has led to a change in discourse. Asher has begun meeting with working Haredim, discussing tailored educational institutions and presenting plans for their needs. Even "Yated Ne'eman," the party's newspaper, has provided coverage previously absent.

Despite these shifts, the article argues that 'HaTzibur HaHaredi' is unlikely to pass the electoral threshold, with recent polls showing it garnering between 0.5% and 0.8% of the vote. A failure to cross the threshold would mean thousands of votes lost, potentially weakening the overall influence of Haredi parties in the next government. This outcome could jeopardize the very goals the new party aims to achieve, particularly concerning the critical issue of yeshiva students' status, which the established parties have struggled to resolve. The article warns that a political split could weaken the Haredi bloc's bargaining power, potentially impacting issues like yeshiva student deferments, educational funding, and the state's Jewish character.

Concerns are also raised about the potential impact on the right-wing bloc. The loss of votes to a party that doesn't pass the threshold could pave the way for a government led by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, potentially with left-wing parties, which could have negative implications for the Haredi community and the country's religious identity. Prime Minister and other political figures are reportedly in contact with Leitner, attempting to persuade him to withdraw his party. Leitner, however, maintains that his party will run until the end.

The author questions the practical achievement of the original demand for internal change, noting that leadership has shifted, a new dialogue has opened, and the issues are now on the agenda of existing Haredi parties. The piece concludes by urging the new party's leadership to demonstrate the same public responsibility they demand from established parties, considering the potential consequences of their electoral strategy. The success of the working Haredi movement in shifting public discourse is acknowledged, but the challenge now lies in translating this into political power and practical solutions that benefit all segments of the Haredi community.