Haredi Public Party Chairman Hints at Future Run After Election Failure
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Moti Lightner, chairman of the Haredi Public party, sent an open letter to activists after the party failed to pass the electoral threshold with approximately 9,500 votes. Lightner accepted responsibility for the failure but framed the election as a starting point for future endeavors, promising an internal review and preparations for the next elections. The letter indicated the party's intention to continue its political path despite the setback.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Haredi Public party chairman Moti Lightner acknowledged electoral failure but signaled intent to continue.
- The party received approximately 9,500 votes, failing to pass the electoral threshold.
- Lightner apologized personally and cited a need to win the trust of more Haredi voters.
- He promised an internal review of tactical errors and campaign messaging.
- The chairman used religious texts to frame the party's mission as ongoing.
- Lightner's letter suggested preparations for future elections rather than a political exit.
Moti Lightner, chairman of the Haredi Public party, sent an open letter to his party activists on Thursday, reflecting on the party's unsuccessful Knesset bid. The party garnered only about 9,500 votes, falling short of the electoral threshold. Lightner acknowledged the electoral failure, stating, "We failed the results test," and offered a personal apology. However, he also suggested that a larger segment of the public sympathizes with the party's ideas but hesitated to vote for it, admitting, "I failed to win the trust of tens of thousands of Haredim who identify with our path and message, and did not find us a viable option on election day."
Instead of announcing a withdrawal from public life, a common step after electoral defeat, Lightner framed the election as a starting point for a long-term endeavor. He cited religious texts, such as "The work is not yours to finish, nor are you free to desist from it," to emphasize that the party's mission is an ongoing ideological obligation regardless of immediate results. Lightner also addressed tactical errors during the campaign, promising an internal review to learn from mistakes and improve for future elections. "We will conduct a real internal review, deeply understand all the mistakes, and draw lessons. We will do everything to be worthy of your trust next time."
The letter's tone suggests preparations for future elections rather than a conclusion. Lightner concluded with a quote implying future rebuilding and a return, stating, "We will build again and be rebuilt. We will return again." He asserted that the party's journey "did not end on election day, it just began," signaling the leadership's intent to continue despite the significant setback.
