New Haredi Party Announces Run for 26th Knesset Amidst Community Crisis

The newly formed Haredi party "The Haredi Public" officially announced its candidacy for the 26th Knesset during a launch event held on Sunday in Beit Shemesh. The event was attended by hundreds of party activists, rabbis, and public figures. The party's list will include Ashkenazi, Sephardi, and Hasidic representatives. Its campaign will focus on preserving Torah study, addressing military conscription issues, integrating math and English studies into Haredi schools, and proposing employment solutions. Detailed party platforms will be released in the coming weeks.

Party chairman Moti Leitner opened the event with sharp criticism of the current Haredi leadership, accusing it of neglecting responsibility. He referenced the ongoing security tensions in Israel, noting that the country has been at war on multiple fronts for the past three years following a horrific massacre. Leitner praised thousands of Haredim who volunteered to assist but lamented that the political leadership remained detached. He warned that extremist elements are taking over Haredi neighborhoods, escalating violence, and that yeshiva students face persecution while daycare funding is halted.

Leitner condemned the political leadership for prioritizing power preservation over solutions, describing the community as facing an existential threat. He accused the established Haredi parties Shas and United Torah Judaism of being controlled by the extremist Jerusalem Faction, calling a vote for them a vote for violence. In July, the new party had called to integrate its representatives into the Shas and United Torah Judaism lists to renew Haredi political leadership, citing surveys showing over 40% of Haredi voters believe their needs are poorly addressed.

Leitner emphasized the need to confront reality by resolving the conscription crisis, poverty, and discrimination. He declared that those who study Torah will receive full protection, while those who do not will serve in the military, promising the formation of a full Haredi division in the IDF as the only way to safeguard Torah study.

The party aims to present its detailed platform soon and challenge the current Haredi political establishment amid growing internal tensions and security concerns.