Haredi Party Leader Rejects PM's Offer, Vows to Run in Elections

Moti Leitner, chairman of the Haredi Public Party, announced that his party will compete in the upcoming Knesset elections, defying significant pressure from established Haredi parties. Leitner stated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had requested a meeting, during which he presented an offer. However, Leitner accused the leadership of United Torah Judaism and Shas of employing threats and pressure tactics to dissuade his party from participating in the elections.

"I am not withdrawing. We are not withdrawing. We are running forward with all our might," Leitner declared, emphasizing his commitment to the electoral race despite the overtures he received. He expressed respect for the Prime Minister but contrasted it with what he described as "harsh threats" from United Torah Judaism and Shas, alleging they "stop at nothing."

Leitner believes these established parties fear the Haredi Public Party's potential impact, asserting that their presence at the ballot box could alter the landscape within the Haredi community and Israel as a whole. He framed his party's mission as representing "tens of thousands of invisible Haredim without a voice," who cannot be bought. Leitner warned that withdrawing now would perpetuate the "old method" of taking Haredi votes for granted, potentially leaving many Haredi children to face continued poverty.