New Haredi Party's Election Loss Seen as Victory in Building Political Home
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
A new Haredi party, "The Haredi Public," failed to enter the Knesset in the recent elections with approximately 10,000 votes. Despite the electoral loss, its formation is considered a victory for providing representation to modern Haredim and women seeking a political home. The party faced initial opposition from established factions like Shas, but its existence highlights a potential shift in the Haredi voting bloc. The party must now learn from its experience and secure stronger rabbinical backing for future attempts.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- A new Haredi party "The Haredi Public" failed to enter the Knesset with about 10,000 votes.
- The party's formation is seen as a victory for representing modern Haredim and women.
- Shas MK Erez Molol confronted the new party's leader Moti Leitner over rabbinical support.
- The electoral failure prompts introspection for established Haredi parties like Shas and UTJ.
- The new party must learn from its "baptism by fire" and refine its strategies.
A new Haredi political party, "The Haredi Public," launched by Deputy Mayor of Beit Shemesh Moti Leitner, failed to enter the Knesset in the 26th legislative elections, garnering only about 10,000 votes. Despite the electoral setback, the party's very formation is being framed as a significant achievement, representing a "revolution" and a "huge innovation" for a segment of the Haredi community seeking political representation beyond the established parties like Shas and United Torah Judaism.
During the list submission deadline, a confrontation occurred between Erez Molol, a Knesset Member for Shas, and Moti Leitner. Molol questioned the legitimacy of the new party without rabbinical backing, calling it "audacity" and "insolence." Leitner, in turn, stated that his party had the support of a council of rabbis and dozens more, retorting that Molol, "the representative of the kingdom," was lecturing him.
The article argues that the true victory for "The Haredi Public" lies not in election numbers but in providing a political address for modern, working Haredim who felt alienated by the older parties. It also highlights the inclusion of Haredi women, who previously lacked a party that reflected their distinct lifestyles and desire for belonging.
While the party did not pass the electoral threshold, the author posits that the numbers are more relevant to Shas and United Torah Judaism, whose vote counts have declined. This shift, the article suggests, should prompt introspection within the established Haredi parties about why voters are seeking alternatives. The new party itself must also learn from its "baptism by fire," assessing its strategies, particularly regarding the sensitive issue of including women in political roles, and securing clear rabbinical endorsement for future endeavors.
The author concludes that building a political home where all types of Haredim feel a sense of belonging is the ultimate victory, surpassing mere vote counts or Knesset seats. The party's initial attempt, though electorally unsuccessful, has tested the public's response and provided valuable lessons for future political engagement.
Mentioned
