Ultra-Orthodox Parties Mobilize Voters Ahead of Election Day

With two days remaining until election day on Tuesday, October 27, ultra-Orthodox parties Shas and United Torah Judaism are intensifying their efforts to mobilize voters. Both parties are combining online campaigns with large rallies featuring rabbis.

On Sunday, Shas convened a major gathering of its Council of Torah Sages and approximately 200 yeshiva deans in Jerusalem. The event aimed to encourage public turnout to vote for the party. Shas's campaign has also included extensive billboard advertising with the slogan "Don't let them win. It's a matter of life and death!" The party previously released videos, one of which depicted a Torah scholar and an IDF soldier at the same Shabbat table, symbolizing mutual respect. However, another video featuring a Spanish-speaking soldier in uniform was disqualified by the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, for alleged use of IDF uniforms for propaganda.

United Torah Judaism held a massive rally in Bnei Brak, attended by tens of thousands. The party launched its campaign with a catchy song addressing the conscription of yeshiva students, promoting unity within the ultra-Orthodox public, and urging obedience to rabbinical leadership. This rally follows a tradition for the party and comes after Shas and United Torah Judaism signed a surplus vote agreement three weeks prior.

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, speaking at a Shas campaign launch event, emphasized the importance of voting, stating, "There is sometimes criticism here and there, but you don't leave home! This is our home." He stressed that under no circumstances should people stay home on election day. The party's chairman, Aryeh Deri, was also present at this reconciliation meeting.