Former Shas Leader Eli Yishai Considers Political Return with Pro-Draft Haredi Party

Eli Yishai, former Interior Minister and ex-chairman of the Shas party, is contemplating a political comeback through the new Haredi party "The Haredi Public," which advocates for the enlistment of young Haredim who do not study in yeshiva. This development follows reports of ongoing negotiations, with ynet revealing footage from a meeting between Yishai and Moti Leitner, chairman of "The Haredi Public."

Yishai previously founded the "Yachad" party in 2014 but failed to pass the electoral threshold in the 20th Knesset elections. Now, over a decade later, he is engaged in serious talks with this new party, which aims to attract disillusioned Shas voters. Several meetings have taken place between the two sides.

Yesterday, the faction of "The Haredi Public" sent a letter to the leaders of the main Haredi parties, Aryeh Deri, Moshe Gafni, and Yitzhak Goldknopf, demanding answers regarding representation. In the letter, Leitner criticized the ongoing confrontation with large segments of Israeli society, warning it endangers the future of the Haredi community.

Leitner wrote that the current situation is a crisis for the Haredi public, with many feeling unrepresented and considering abstaining from voting or supporting non-Haredi parties. He stressed that the demand for representation is not merely political but a public and ethical necessity. He also lamented the dismissive and defamatory responses from established Haredi leaders instead of engaging in dialogue to find solutions.