Media Criticizes Haredi Political Power as Ineffective Ahead of Israeli Elections
As the Knesset's term ends and Israel prepares for upcoming elections, media personality Yehuda Glickman appeared on Kikar HaShabbat for a candid discussion with host Moshe Mens. The conversation centered on Glickman's opinion piece titled "The Illusion of Haredi Power," which has sparked significant debate within the Haredi community by critically examining the performance of Haredi party representatives in the Knesset.
Glickman argued that despite the high hopes and celebrations surrounding the formation of Netanyahu's sixth government, which boasted a strong coalition of 64 members of Knesset, the Haredi representatives failed to effectively manage the political agenda. He highlighted their inability to secure fundamental rights for their constituency, citing unresolved issues such as the failure to regulate the military draft law for yeshiva students, cuts to budgets including daycare subsidies and housing programs, and a general lack of legislative success due to obstacles posed by the civil service and legal advisors.
The term "illusion of power" reflects the stark contrast between the substantial electoral support the Haredi parties receive, hundreds of thousands of votes driven by rabbinic directives, and their limited tangible achievements. Glickman criticized the Haredi politicians for being captivated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's personal charisma rather than pursuing a clear political strategy. He quoted Minister Meir Porush's admission that it is impossible to resist Netanyahu's rhetorical skills and charm, responding sharply that failure to stand firm equates to admitting defeat.
Comparing the Haredi parties to coalition partners like Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, Glickman noted that these figures successfully defended their ideological interests by taking firm stances and imposing political sanctions when necessary, whereas the Haredi representatives repeatedly faltered, often accompanied by excuses.
Regarding potential changes in voting behavior, Glickman acknowledged that most of the Haredi public will continue to vote according to rabbinic instructions rather than personal or ideological considerations. However, he proposed a novel approach: organizing delegations from the Haredi street to directly communicate with spiritual leaders, ensuring that the rabbis receive an unfiltered account of the community's real struggles. This, he suggested, could lead to more demanding and effective political representation.
Concluding, Glickman offered a simple rule for future political negotiations, especially given the ruling party's dependence on Haredi votes: "If you don't get something for yourself, don't let anyone else get something either." The interview ended with Moshe Mens noting the current turmoil and protests within the Haredi community, reflecting a search for clear direction and answers from their leadership.
