Ultra-Orthodox Parties Adapt to Election Restrictions as Shas Targets Rivals
Ultra-Orthodox parties in Israel are adapting election strategies following a court ban on real-time turnout data. Meanwhile, Shas figures criticized Likud and renewed attacks on Itamar Ben Gvir.
United Torah Judaism Prepares Alternative Tracking Mechanisms
United Torah Judaism is preparing for upcoming election day under a High Court prohibition preventing polling committee representatives from transmitting real-time voter turnout data to party headquarters. Previously, this served as a central tool for ultra-Orthodox parties to ensure high voter turnout in unified communities.
Following the ban on digital real-time transmission from polling stations, United Torah Judaism is arranging alternative tracking. According to the plan, a booth will be placed outside the sterile zone of each polling station to record voters. Additionally, Agudat Israel announced it will set up designated tents staffed by yeshiva students near polling clusters, encouraging citizens to report their participation under the slogan "You voted and didn't report – you didn't vote."
Shas Launches Attacks on Likud and Itamar Ben Gvir
Concurrently, Shas is attempting to prevent vote leakage within the right-wing bloc, as senior party member Rabbi Moshe Maya launched an attack on Likud. Rabbi Maya, the elder member of the Council of Torah Sages, stated that voting for Likud or other parties deprives one of a place in the world to come.
Simultaneously, former Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef reiterated his religious ruling prohibiting votes for Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir. Rabbi Yosef criticized police conduct regarding ultra-Orthodox protesters and questioned what practical contributions Ben Gvir has provided to religious institutions and Sephardic youth considering voting for his party.
