developing· Politics· Updated 19:30

Haredi Party Chairman Rejects Pressure to Withdraw from Knesset Race

Moti Leitner, the chairman of the Haredi Public party, announced on Wednesday that he will not withdraw from the upcoming Knesset elections despite receiving a personal request and withdrawal offer from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

3 newsrooms · 1 language · since 13:07

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Haredi Party Chairman Rejects Pressure to Withdraw from Knesset Race — Illustration by baba

What happened

01Haredi Public party chairman Moti Leitner announced on Wednesday that he will not withdraw from the Knesset elections.
02Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu personally met with Leitner and offered him a deal to withdraw from the race.
03Leitner refused the offer because established Haredi parties have not committed to supporting Netanyahu's promised reforms.
04Leitner claimed that leaders and envoys from United Torah Judaism and Shas issued severe threats against his movement.
05The Haredi Public party aims to represent underserved Haredim and break the political monopoly of established parties.
06Leitner warned that withdrawing would benefit a corrupt old system and condemn tens of thousands of children to poverty.
07Leitner's decision comes amid an intensifying campaign on the right against swing parties after Benny Gantz withdrew from the race.

Leitner met with Netanyahu, who asked him to withdraw his candidacy. Leitner explained his refusal by stating that the established Haredi parties, primarily United Torah Judaism and Shas, have refused to commit to supporting the reforms Netanyahu promised for the Haredi public. He also claimed that leaders and envoys from these established parties have issued severe threats against his movement.

According to Leitner, his party represents tens of thousands of underserved Haredim, including Torah scholars, soldiers, converts, and immigrants, who lack adequate representation. He argued that withdrawing would empower a corrupt old system and perpetuate poverty for tens of thousands of children. His decision to stay in the race comes amid an intensifying campaign on the right against swing parties, following the recent withdrawal of Benny Gantz and his Blue and White party.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 3 newsrooms. Updated 19:53

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