Haredi Leaders Face Urgent Question: What If They Lose Political Power?

Elad Shnir, an activist with the Achvat Torah movement, highlights a critical yet unspoken question within the Haredi community: what if the ultra-Orthodox parties lose their political influence in upcoming elections? Despite ongoing efforts to pass the military draft law exemption, maintain coalition membership, secure budgets, and fund educational frameworks, Shnir warns that these plans assume continued political power, which is not guaranteed.

He points out that public opinion, including among right-wing and traditional voters, increasingly opposes blanket exemptions from military service, viewing army service as a key social asset. Rival parties campaign on promises to exclude Haredi parties from government coalitions, and many, even within religious communities, no longer see the Haredim as partners but as a threat.

Shnir stresses that the community lacks a long-term strategy for a future where their traditional political tools fail. He calls for open discussion and planning beyond immediate concerns, emphasizing that responsible leadership must prepare for scenarios where the draft law does not pass and political isolation grows. He advocates for dialogue both within and outside the Haredi camp to rebuild understanding and cooperation.

Rejecting the notion that planning indicates a lack of faith, Shnir cites the biblical example of Joseph, who planned for seven years of famine, as a model of wise foresight. He warns that without proactive solutions, others will impose changes on the Haredi community, likely to their detriment. The article concludes with a call to legitimize these difficult questions and initiate practical planning to secure the community's future.