Haredi Newspapers Signal Potential Break from Right-Wing Bloc

Leading Haredi newspapers "Yated Ne'eman" and "HaModia" published articles on Tuesday signaling a potential shift away from the political partnership with the Likud and the right-wing bloc. This comes in the wake of the mandate to form a government being given to National Unity Party Chairman Gadi Eisenkot.

"Yated Ne'eman," the organ of the Lithuanian Haredi community, directly addressed the right-wing bloc, questioning when the Haredi public became an inseparable part of it. The paper stated that regarding the draft law, the right proved no better than the left, asserting, "Do not threaten us, do not preach morality, and we owe you no explanation or answer."

"HaModia" also dismissed warnings from the Prime Minister's circle about future political consequences. Both papers expressed disappointment with the past term, particularly concerning the unresolved status of Torah scholars and yeshiva students. They claimed that Knesset members from Likud and the Religious Zionist party obstructed the draft law for political reasons.

Responding to accusations of ingratitude, the articles' authors noted that Haredi representation had enabled the formation of past right-wing governments and even sat in opposition with them, yet received no reciprocal support when tested. They emphasized that there has never been a true "bloc" with the right or left, declaring, "We are not right and not left, we are Torah opinion."

While rejecting claims of loyalty and clarifying that the Haredi public is not obligated to any bloc, the papers stated that future decisions would be guided by the directives of Haredi leaders, including Rabbi Dov Lando and Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch. Any future engagement with the center-left or parties involved in government formation will be evaluated objectively, solely based on the preservation of yeshiva studies and the status of yeshiva students.