Netanyahu Urges Haredi Party to Withdraw from 2026 Elections

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Moti Leitner, chairman of the Haredi Public Party, on Tuesday and asked him to withdraw from the upcoming 2026 elections, the party announced. A source within the party told Haaretz that they intend to run "to the end" regardless. Coalition parties reportedly offered Leitner a position as a project manager for the Haredi public to persuade him to withdraw. Leitner demanded guarantees from the existing Haredi parties that they would not sabotage the initiative after the elections, but upon not receiving them, he rejected the offer.

Netanyahu recently also requested meetings with Rabbi David Leibl, unofficially associated with the party, and its second-ranked candidate, Asher Freyde. Both declined to meet. In addition to the Prime Minister and his associates, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and his close aides have also been exerting significant pressure on the party to withdraw in recent weeks.

At an event last Saturday, Leitner stated that the party is already preparing for the post-election period, intending to establish a movement and submit lists for local elections. The Haredi Public Party, which aims to present an alternative to established Haredi parties like United Torah Judaism and Shas, is not expected to pass the electoral threshold. Notably, the party has nominated Dr. Nehumi Yaffe, making her the first woman to run for the Knesset in a Haredi party. Leitner, who also serves as Deputy Mayor of Beit Shemesh, leads the party, which seeks to represent working Haredim, supports core curriculum studies, and aligns with the right-wing bloc. Initially, the party estimated its electoral potential at around three seats, below the threshold, and failed in attempts to unite with other parties.