Court Rejects Petition Against Religious Zionist Party's Campaigning in Yeshivas
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
The Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, rejected a petition against the Religious Zionist Party's election campaign activities in Hesder Yeshivas. The court accepted the party's declaration that it does not use public resources for campaigning. While students in unpaid service are permitted passive attendance at events, active campaigning like voter recruitment may be restricted.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Judge Noam Sohlberg rejected a petition against the Religious Zionist Party's campaign activities in Hesder Yeshivas.
- The court accepted the party's declaration that it does not use public resources for its election campaign.
- Students in unpaid service are permitted passive attendance at political events, not active campaigning.
- The ruling raises questions about alleged voter recruitment phone banks in Hesder Yeshivas.
- The party stated its campaign activities are funded by party money and volunteers.
The Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, has dismissed a petition that sought to halt the Religious Zionist Party's alleged use of Hesder Yeshiva students and resources for its election campaign. The petition, filed by 'Guardians of State Education,' claimed the party was conducting political activity in state-funded religious institutions and utilizing Hesder Yeshiva students for campaign work.
In his ruling, Sohlberg accepted the Religious Zionist Party's declaration that it does not use public resources for its campaign. The party stated its activists do not use funds, assets, facilities, or personnel from any supported yeshiva or religious institution. They affirmed that their election activities are funded by the party, held in rented halls, and carried out by volunteers.
Sohlberg emphasized that these declarations are binding and that providing false information in a legal proceeding could have legal consequences. Regarding the participation of Hesder Yeshiva students in political activities, the judge clarified that students in their unpaid service period (Shal"at) are considered soldiers. The permission granted to them is limited to passive attendance at political events, not active campaigning like voter recruitment or speeches.
The decision raises questions about alleged phone banking operations within some Hesder Yeshivas. If students in Shal"at are involved in voter recruitment, this could exceed the boundaries of passive activity defined by the judge. However, the ruling did not definitively establish that these phone banks are operating unlawfully.
