New Ultra-Orthodox Party 'Hatzibur Hacharedi' Launches Campaign for Knesset Representation

A new ultra-Orthodox political faction named 'Hatzibur Hacharedi' has emerged, uniting many Haredi communities across Israel to demand proper representation in the upcoming Knesset elections. The initiative, led by Moti Leitner, deputy mayor of Beit Shemesh, responds to growing dissatisfaction with the established Haredi parties, United Torah Judaism and Shas, which many feel no longer address the community's pressing challenges.

Leitner, 33, who heads the local Haredi faction 'Derech' in Beit Shemesh, stated that tens of thousands of yeshiva students and families are under unprecedented pressure, citing economic hardship, rising dropout rates, and what he described as an ongoing attack on the Torah world. The campaign, which has already invested over two million shekels, focuses on combating persecution of Torah scholars, alleviating poverty within the Haredi sector, and addressing the increasing dropout rates.

In recent months, representatives from various Haredi communities and independent local factions have attempted to negotiate with senior leaders of the mainstream Haredi parties to secure seats for new, younger representatives connected to grassroots realities. However, these talks have stalled, prompting the formation of this unified political platform. The campaign slogan, "No Haredi Party Without the Haredi Public," is prominently displayed in key ultra-Orthodox population centers such as Bnei Brak, Jerusalem, and Elad.

Leitner emphasized that the faction aims to integrate into United Torah Judaism and Shas to strengthen leadership and provide practical solutions to the community's urgent problems. This move follows previous attempts by other groups to establish independent Haredi parties, including a recent initiative in Netivot and efforts by modern Haredi factions, though none have yet succeeded in gaining significant traction.

The new party plans to continue expanding its campaign and fundraising efforts until it secures meaningful representation within the established Haredi political framework, aiming to safeguard the future of the Haredi community in Israel.