Concerns Rise Over Trojan Horse Tactics in Likud Primaries Amid Growing Ultra-Orthodox Influence

The Likud party is facing internal tensions as thousands of ultra-Orthodox supporters join its ranks, creating a new influential power bloc. Yaakov Wider, head of the ultra-Orthodox faction within Likud and chairman of the party's faction in Bnei Brak, sent an urgent letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanding an investigation into attempts by activists from other parties to infiltrate and manipulate the upcoming primaries. Wider warned of organized efforts by hostile elements to exploit Likud's internal democracy by introducing "Trojan horses" to influence the Knesset candidate list and establish an internal opposition to Netanyahu.

The ultra-Orthodox membership in Likud has surged to an estimated 7,000 out of approximately 140,000 party members, forming a broad network across major Hasidic groups. Key factions include Karlin, led by Yossi Rozenboim and linked to rescue organizations like ZAKA and United Hatzalah, who emphasize issues such as education, life-saving services, and military conscription. The Sanz-Vizhnitz community in Haifa joined to secure direct channels with government ministers for municipal and educational concerns. Belz representation is maintained by the Elboum family, while the "Kisei Rahamim" community, led by Rabbi Tzemach Mazuz, maintains close ties with senior ministers. The most dramatic entry is from the Gur Hasidim, led by Elazar Gordon, seeking influence over budgets and policy amid Agudat Yisrael's opposition status.

This growing ultra-Orthodox bloc wields significant influence in the primaries, where candidates need about 25,000 votes to secure a spot on the list. A coordinated ultra-Orthodox voting bloc of 3,000 to 7,000 members can decisively impact candidate rankings. Their influence is evident in recommended candidate lists and internal party discourse, with prominent Likud members such as Amir Ohana, Ofir Katz, Miri Regev, Yariv Levin, and Hanoch Milwitsky receiving strong ultra-Orthodox support. The faction also bolsters party positions on military exemption laws and respect for Torah scholars.

While the ultra-Orthodox faction seeks to emulate the settler lobby's political power and integrate fully into Likud's mainstream, Wider's letter underscores ongoing struggles over member identity and fears of political exploitation within the party's mechanisms. The call to Netanyahu highlights the urgency to safeguard Likud's internal processes from external manipulation as the primaries approach.