Ultra-Orthodox Communities Become Influential Force Within Likud Party
In recent years, ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) groups have significantly increased their presence and influence within Israel's ruling Likud party. No longer relying solely on traditional Haredi parties like United Torah Judaism or Shas, thousands of Haredi members from major Hasidic sects have joined Likud, establishing organized factions that impact party decisions and government policy.
Yossi Rozenboim of the Karlin Hasidic sect is a key figure in this shift. Active since 2004, Rozenboim commands thousands of Likud members and volunteers, including those affiliated with emergency organizations like ZAKA and United Hatzalah. He emphasizes that the Haredi involvement in Likud is driven by deep ideological motives, focusing on education, military service exemptions, and social integration, areas he feels traditional Haredi parties have not adequately addressed.
Other Hasidic groups such as Seret Vizhnitz from Haifa and Belz also maintain organized Likud factions. Seret Vizhnitz members initially joined Likud to address local municipal issues after feeling neglected by their official representatives. The Belz faction, established about 30 years ago, continues to support like-minded politicians within Likud, including MK Moshe Saada.
The Gur Hasidic sect, historically opposed to Likud, has recently begun mass registrations to become a major voting bloc. Elazar Gordon, a Gur Hasid and parliamentary advisor, highlights that influence within the ruling party is crucial since opposition parties like United Torah Judaism lack power to shape budgets and policy. The entry of figures like Moti Babchik has helped ease social concerns among Haredim about joining Likud.
This growing Haredi presence is reflected in Likud's recommended candidate lists, which include politicians supportive of Torah study and military service exemptions. For example, Rozenboim helped promote legislation protecting yeshiva students from conscription. Currently, there are approximately 7,000 Haredi Likud members out of 140,000 total, a significant voting bloc that can sway election outcomes. Some Shas members reportedly view this as a political threat.
The Haredi factions within Likud aim to become a mainstream force, similar to the settler lobby, seeking to integrate fully into Israel’s major parties and influence policy from within. This development marks a long-term strategic investment by Haredi leaders in the ruling party’s future.
Summary: Ultra-Orthodox groups from major Hasidic sects have become a powerful and organized force within Israel's Likud party, influencing candidate selections and policies on education and military service exemptions. Key figures like Yossi Rozenboim lead thousands of Haredi members, signaling a strategic shift away from traditional Haredi parties toward integration within the ruling party.
Points: - Thousands of ultra-Orthodox members from major Hasidic sects have joined Likud, forming influential factions. - Yossi Rozenboim leads a large Haredi bloc within Likud, active since 2004 and connected to emergency groups. - Haredi factions focus on ideological issues like education, military exemptions, and social integration. - Gur Hasidim recently began mass Likud registrations to gain political influence. - Approximately 7,000 Haredi Likud members represent a significant voting bloc within the party. - The Haredi presence aims to become mainstream within Likud, similar to the settler lobby.
Topic: politics israel_relevant: true Entities: - People: ["Yossi Rozenboim", "Itzik Koifman", "Shlomo Elboim", "Moshe Saada", "Elazar Gordon", "Moti Babchik", "Israel Katz", "Boaz Bismuth", "Hanoch Milwitsky", "Shlomo Karhi"] - Organizations: ["Likud", "United Torah Judaism", "Shas", "ZAKA", "United Hatzalah", "Knesset"] - Places: ["Israel", "Haifa", "Bnei Brak"]
