Underground Donor Funds 'Do Nothing' Campaign to Boycott Vote
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
A secret campaign called "Shuv V'al Ta'aseh" (Sit and Do Nothing), which encouraged Haredi citizens to boycott elections, was funded by US philanthropist ר' יואלי לנדא. He and other donors raised over one million shekels for the initiative, which aimed to protest the perceived lack of support from Haredi representatives. The campaign's organizers argued that the legal system already dictates outcomes, making voting unnecessary. The effort coincided with a higher-than-average voter turnout in some Haredi communities.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- US philanthropist ר' יואלי לנדא funded a secret campaign urging Haredi voters to boycott elections.
- The "Shuv V'al Ta'aseh" campaign raised over one million shekels from donors.
- The campaign aimed to protest perceived neglect by Haredi political representatives.
- Organizers claimed the legal system makes voting unnecessary.
- The boycott initiative ran alongside other Haredi political campaigns.
- Voter turnout in some Haredi areas was higher than the national average.
A clandestine campaign urging the Haredi public to boycott the elections, known as "Shuv V'al Ta'aseh" (Sit and Do Nothing), was secretly funded by a prominent Haredi philanthropist from the United States, ר' יואלי לנדא. The initiative operated covertly for months, with activists approaching voters in synagogues and Haredi communities to secure commitments to abstain from voting. The campaign emerged from the distress of parents whose sons and sons-in-law were declared "deserters" during the previous term, feeling that their Haredi representatives failed to support them. These parents appealed to philanthropists in Israel and abroad for assistance in conveying a strong message to the representatives: "The only way to influence is not to vote."
Organizers stated that with the legal system and the Attorney General determining most outcomes, there is no reason to vote. Another organizer added that abstaining from voting sends a "resounding message" to Haredi representatives that the current situation is unsustainable. The philanthropist, ר' יואלי לנדא, along with other Haredi philanthropists, raised over one million shekels to finance the campaign. He denied accusations of distributing money for identity cards, clarifying that he provided financial backing for the parents' protest, aiming to reduce the influence of Haredi parties.
ר' יואלי לנדא, known for his charitable work, continues a family tradition. His grandfather served as an aide to the Rebbe of Kerestir, and he follows in his footsteps. Recently, he organized a special charity distribution in Jerusalem, providing 1,200 shekels to needy married yeshiva students. The campaign coincides with a turbulent election day in the Haredi sector, with voter turnout around 35% by 12:30 PM, slightly higher than the national average. The "Shuv V'al Ta'aseh" campaign ran parallel to other initiatives in the Haredi sector, including the 'Tzeva Shachor' party, which focuses on opposing the conscription law and claims approximately 246,000 Haredim are not represented by Shas and United Torah Judaism.