New Haredi Party Challenges Status Quo with Calls for IDF Service and Integration

In the haredi market of Beit Shemesh, Moti Leitner walks among the stalls like someone deeply familiar with the ultra-Orthodox street. Around him, people inspect etrogim ahead of the Sukkot holiday. Into this familiar haredi scene, Leitner seeks to introduce an unusual political message: a new haredi party that calls on ultra-Orthodox Jews to take responsibility for the state, including military service in the IDF.

A New Voice for Working and Serving Haredim

Moti Leitner, the deputy mayor of Beit Shemesh, has spent years dealing with issues of integrating haredim into employment, academia, and civil and military service while preserving their haredi identity and lifestyle. Now, after failing to integrate into politics through traditional haredi parties, he is leading an independent list for the upcoming Knesset elections.

The "Haredi Public" party was established in response to what Leitner and his associates describe as a growing gap between traditional haredi factions and segments of the ultra-Orthodox public: working haredim, serving haredim, those interested in mathematics and English studies, and those who do not feel represented by Shas and United Torah Judaism. Leitner argues that existing haredi parties are preoccupied with preserving the power of the current establishment rather than tackling core issues such as poverty, employment, education, service, and responsibility for the state.

"There is no existing haredi party that talks about economic, national, or security success," Leitner says. "They care about the political machine. They care about preserving an existing, imaginary status quo at any cost."

The Conscription Debate and Female Representation

The core issue distinguishing the new party from existing factions is the question of military service. Leitner supports drafting ultra-Orthodox individuals who are not full-time Torah students into the IDF, but strongly opposes punitive sanctions and arrests. He proposes removing barriers, recognizing existing tracks, strengthening haredi hesder yeshivot, expanding programs, and providing positive incentives for those who choose to serve.

Another step distinguishing the party is the inclusion of women on its electoral list: researcher Dr. Nahumi Yefe and Ziva Glantz. Leitner acknowledges that this was a complex and heavily debated move, but expresses full confidence in their leadership and courage.

Electoral Prospects and Unity

One of the central questions surrounding the new party is whether it can cross the electoral threshold. Leitner estimates a potential of two to three mandates within haredi society, while also banking on voters outside the sector who see the party as a positive message for Israeli society.

Regarding the political future, Leitner insists that the next government must be a broad unity coalition rather than a narrow government. "A narrow government is not the right thing for the State of Israel," he concludes.