New Haredi Party Faces Violence, Vows Integration Amidst Election Day Tensions
Translated & summarized from Davar by baba
On election day in Beit Shemesh, a new Haredi party, "HaTzibbur HaCharedi," advocating for societal integration, reported facing violence and intimidation from established factions. Party leader Moti Leitner condemned the alleged thuggery, attributing it to fear of change. Meanwhile, some ultra-Orthodox students boycotted the elections, deeming them religiously forbidden, while other voters focused on issues like the cost of living and security.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- A new Haredi party, "HaTzibbur HaCharedi," reported facing violence and intimidation on election day in Beit Shemesh.
- Party leader Moti Leitner accused established factions of using "thuggery" out of "panic" over the new party's integrationist platform.
- Some ultra-Orthodox students boycotted the elections, viewing participation as a religious transgression against the state.
- Voters expressed diverse concerns, including societal integration, cost of living, and national security.
- The election day in Beit Shemesh featured competition between established Haredi parties and the new faction.
Election day in Beit Shemesh saw intense competition between the established Haredi parties, Yahadut HaTorah and Shas, and a new faction, "HaTzibbur HaCharedi" (The Haredi Public), which advocates for greater integration into Israeli society while maintaining religious principles. The party's leader, Moti Leitner, reported that his supporters and activists faced significant pressure and violence from individuals described as "thugs." Leitner stated that despite these efforts to intimidate them, his party members arrived at the polling stations with "heads held high" to represent "modern and discriminated against Jews."
One party activist, Yosef Rozberger, recounted an incident where he was allegedly assaulted and had his phone thrown after attempting to film someone tearing down his party's signs. Leitner attributed such actions to the "panic" of established power structures when faced with an alternative that could "dismantle an establishment of power" and "sanctify God's name after years of desecrating it." He expressed confidence that the public is "smarter than that."
Young voters like Malachi Tsanger and Yehuda expressed support for "HaTzibbur HaCharedi," with Tsanger lamenting the widespread animosity towards the Haredi community and hoping the new party would demonstrate their positive contributions to the state. Yehuda felt the Haredi community needs representation on economic, social, and religious matters.
However, a segment of the ultra-Orthodox community, represented by students from the "Meirat Einayim" yeshiva, boycotted the elections, viewing participation as a religious transgression and opposing the state itself. They believe that influencing leaders from the outside is more effective and that the success of established Haredi parties is detrimental. These students, while not aligning with Neturei Karta, reported experiencing police violence during protests.
Other voters, such as Elchanan Shakli and Yitzchak Cohen, cast their ballots for parties like Zehut and Ben Gvir, citing concerns about the cost of living, national security, and the need for strong leadership. Cohen specifically mentioned wanting to see justice for those who harm others and a government that does not cooperate with Arab parties.
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