A Kan News report claimed that associates of Yashar! Party chairman Gadi Eisenkot played a role in the establishment of the new “Chareidi Public” party, which threatens to split the Chareidi vote ahead of the upcoming elections.
The new party, led by Beit Shemesh Deputy Mayor Moti Leitner, was established to appeal to the “liberal Chareidi” public and has demanded “fair representation” on the UTJ and Shas candidate lists for the next Knesset. However, opponents say that the party promotes positions that do not fully align with the guidance of Gedolei Yisrael.
According to the report, two of Eisenkot’s close associates, Ronen Manelis and Ronen Aviani, helped establish the Chareidi party in its early stages and aided the development of its campaign strategy.
Kan also reported that Aviani privately questioned whether the party would succeed in crossing the electoral threshold. In addition, the report said that Inbar Giti, a candidate on Eisenkot’s list, has maintained contact with party members and its donors.
Kol Chai reported that Eisenkot’s associates offered the services of campaign strategist Itai Sheinberger, but Leitner’s team rejected the offer outright to avoid associating its campaign with someone who had previously worked for the Kaplan protest movement.
Responding to Kol Chai, a spokesperson for the party said: “Among several proposals we received from various advertising firms for campaign professionals, his team was also suggested. The proposal was immediately rejected, and no meeting was ever held after we learned that he had previously worked for left-wing parties and does not support the right-wing bloc.”
The allegations have raised questions, particularly as Leitner has demanded that representatives from his party be integrated into the established Chareidi parties. Shas and UTJ have claimed that left-wing figures are behind the new party—an accusation Leitner has consistently rejected.
Aviani denied any involvement, saying he has never participated in establishing, managing, or financing any political party, including “The Chareidi Public,” and played no role in strategic planning or fundraising.
“This is a collection of inaccurate claims, and it is regrettable that the reporters chose to rely on false information without verifying basic facts,” he said.
“The Chareidi Public” party also rejected the report outright. “We regret that the reporter chose to publish inaccurate information. Ronen Manelis, Ronen Aviani, and Inbar Giti have never advised the party, and any claim to the contrary amounts to serious defamation,” the party said.
The party also criticized the established Chareidi parties, stating: “‘The Chareidi Public’ was established in response to the call of tens of thousands of Chareidim seeking representation while remaining part of the right-wing bloc. Political operatives from the established Chareidi parties, who pinned all their hopes on breaking up the right-wing bloc and are now in a state of panic, are busy spreading falsehoods instead of confronting the real problems facing Chareidi society.”
A separate Channel 12 News report claimed that former Shas chairman Eli Yishai is considering joining the party.
(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)
7 Responses
Without any of the Gedolim behind the new party, they are just trying to reduce the growing numbers of the authentic chareidy factions and their influence in the Knesset.
Not surprised at all. Not the first time that this type of thing has happened either.
As explained by the late Prof. Katz, things change in traditional societies from the bottom-up
Dr. Yidd – If you like something “Chareidi” that says the same as Eisenkot liking it… This isn’t (as yet) a frontal attempt to change Chareidi society, but to weaken the Chareidi political establishment. For those like you and Eisenkot who think that Chareidim are a brainwashed cult controlled by all-powerful leaders, that is a brilliant strategy to break apart that control. For those who understand the real nature of Chareidi society and the moral authority commanded by Gedolei Yisroel independent of any political structure or “enforcement apparatus”, this is just another ויזנב בך כל הנחשלים אחריך that won’t move the real core Chareidim, who are by far the majority. But people like you will have loads of schadenfreude fun predicting the downfall of the Chareidim until you again see it isn’t happening.
Yaakov Yosef A, there have been changes in traditional societies. However, the gedolim and leaders are not those leading those changes. The new party is just another example. Talk to me after the next election. In all likelihood, Hareidim will not be in the governing coalition
Another Rebellion that will essentially hurt the votes for the other religious parties because of confused people going with their heart, and that’s how you hand Victory to your enemies. Similarly all the “vote Curtis sliwa” idiots giving their vote to someone who can’t make it past 15% because you like him so much and now you have a Muslim terrorist as mayor instead. If dr.goyy likes something it automatically means you should run thousands of kilometers from it
Rebbe Mess, Mamdani got a majority of the vote, so the Sliwa voters didn’t end up helping him.
That said, if this party contests the Knesset election it will not pass the threshold, and all the votes it attracts will be wasted. That is the entire point of Eisenkott supporting it (if he is).