Close Ties Revealed Between Gadi Eizenkot Allies and New Haredi Party Led by Moti Leitner

A recent report unveiled surprising connections between senior aides of Gadi Eizenkot, chairman of the Yisrael party, and the newly formed Haredi party "HaTzibur HaHaredi" led by Moti Leitner, deputy mayor of Beit Shemesh. According to the report, Ronen Manlis and Ronen Aviani, both close to Eizenkot, were involved in the early stages of establishing the party and helped develop its strategic framework. The party is currently running a campaign with a budget of about two million shekels and is demanding representation within the established Haredi factions Shas and United Torah Judaism.

The report also revealed that Aviani expressed doubts privately about the party's ability to pass the electoral threshold. Additionally, Inbar Giti, a candidate on Eizenkot’s list, is reportedly in contact with the party and its donors. The revelations have stirred controversy within the Haredi community, especially as Leitner is pushing for integration of his party’s representatives into the traditional Haredi factions.

Shas and United Torah Judaism accused left-wing elements of backing the new party, a claim strongly denied by Leitner. Both Aviani and the party issued firm denials of involvement, with Aviani calling the allegations false and criticizing the investigative sources for relying on inaccurate information. The party also condemned the traditional Haredi factions, accusing them of spreading lies out of panic over the new party’s emergence and ignoring the community’s real issues.

In a related development, former Shas leader Eli Yishai is reportedly considering joining the new party, a move that could significantly boost its influence among the Mizrahi Haredi public.