A new faction called 'The Haredi Public' has launched a multi-million-shekel campaign demanding that Haredi political parties integrate new representatives, citing a growing disconnect between large parts of the ultra-Orthodox public and the veteran political leadership, according to Channel 12 News Haredi affairs correspondent Eli Hirshman.
The campaign, led by the newly formed faction 'The Haredi Public', is reportedly funded by millions of shekels and aims to pressure the veteran Haredi parties — Shas and United Torah Judaism — to open their lists to new faces. According to the faction's leaders, it represents tens of thousands of working Haredim and members of communities that feel unrepresented by the current political leadership.
The move comes amid ongoing internal tensions within the Haredi sector over military conscription and political representation. As The Zioneer has reported, there have been growing calls for change, including pressure on Likud's Haredi registrants to support conscription-friendly MKs and reports of dissatisfaction with Shas's handling of the enlistment issue. The new campaign represents a concrete organizational effort to challenge the status quo.
The extent of the faction's grassroots support and its ability to influence the upcoming elections remains unclear. Hirshman's report is the first detailed account of the campaign's scope and funding.
2 developments
- DevelopingHaredi party officials press Likud's Haredi registrants to back conscription-friendly MKs, Stein reports
- StrongNew Haredi initiative offers incentives for draft dodgers, sparking controversy
- DevelopingTuchfeld: Opposition seeks 'salvation' by attacking Haredim
- DevelopingPersistent rumor: Likud officials seeking mass enlistment of yeshiva students ahead of primaries
Source and signal
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