Israeli Haredi Council Launches 'Malchei Rabanan' Card to Secure Discounts Amid Sanctions

In response to recent economic sanctions targeting the Haredi community, the Council of Yeshivas (Vaad HaYeshivos) is set to launch a new consumer initiative called "Malchei Rabanan" at the beginning of the Hebrew month of Elul. The project aims to consolidate the purchasing power of approximately 100,000 Haredi families to secure ongoing discounts and benefits at major food and retail chains across Israel.

Each yeshiva student (avrech) will receive a prepaid "Malchei Rabanan" card funded through donations and other sources. This card will grant holders access to special discounts, benefits, and participation in raffles. The council describes the initiative as functioning "almost like a credit company," leveraging the collective buying power of tens of thousands of families to negotiate favorable terms with retailers.

Additionally, the council plans to establish a monitoring mechanism to track product prices and intervene with retail chains in cases of price hikes, aiming to pressure them into lowering costs. Currently, the Council of Yeshivas is engaged in advanced negotiations with food and retail chains to finalize the program's launch in the coming weeks.