Noam Party Member Reflects on Election Failure

A supporter of the Noam party has penned a reflective piece following the party's significant electoral defeat, describing the results as a "ringing slap in the face." He acknowledges the election outcome as a "scorching failure and disaster" for the party and himself as an ardent supporter, expressing a level of disappointment he believes is unprecedented in election history. The author likens the situation to a servant who, intending to pour a cup for his master, instead spills a large amount on his face, and quotes "We lay in our shame and covered ourselves with our disgrace."

The supporter highlights a sentiment from a friend who suggested that instead of a multi-million shekel campaign involving hundreds of volunteers, telemarketers, and extensive media, the party could have achieved the same result by simply publishing a flyer signed by Rabbi Tzvi Tau. While acknowledging the stark numbers of votes received as a clear failure, the author states that understanding the root cause is a more crucial task.

He defends the campaign's efforts, asserting that claims of speaking with over 300,000 potential voters and registering their support levels were not fabricated. The genuine enthusiasm and support encountered at street booths and home gatherings were also authentic. However, these efforts were insufficient to overcome two primary challenges: the difficulty in persuading voters to change their established voting habits, with many expressing loyalty to parties like Shas or Likud, and a convincing counter-campaign warning that Noam would not pass the electoral threshold, potentially jeopardizing the entire right-wing bloc.

The author concludes that the failure was solely measured by the number of votes cast, but argues that the election period itself was a success in other ways. It provided party activists with opportunities to engage with diverse segments of the Israeli public, introducing them to important messages and fostering a sense of connection. He believes this engagement contributes to preparing the ground for a "new era" in Israel's history. Despite the electoral setback, the author asserts that the Noam movement intends to continue its work, viewing itself as the sole movement genuinely focused on the future, advocating for Jewish education, and combating perceived threats from Western culture.

He also addresses commentary from writers like Amit Segal and Rabbi Chaim Navon, who suggested that after proving the party's limited electoral value, it and the Har HaMor yeshiva it represents might return to their "natural size" within the religious-nationalist public. The author defends the Har HaMor yeshiva, stating it is not weak in public relations but rather focuses on serious Torah study and devotion, not self-promotion. He anticipates that the election failure will not alter this approach. Finally, he shares a lesson learned from his father about the primacy of truth, divine service, and moral character over political outcomes, emphasizing that these fundamental values remain paramount.