Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly intensifying efforts to convince the newly established “HaTzibur HaCharedi” party to withdraw from Israel’s October 27 election, amid concerns that votes for parties failing to cross the electoral threshold could be lost in the battle for control of the next Knesset.
However, party chairman Moti Leitner is refusing to abandon the race, declaring that his party intends to compete until Election Day despite consistently polling below the 3.25% threshold required to enter the Knesset.
In an interview with Channel 12 on Monday, Leitner rejected the pressure to withdraw and insisted that the party represents voters who believe they have been overlooked by the established Chareidi political leadership.
“How can we come to hundreds and thousands of Israelis and tell them we’re going to close off your opportunity to bring us your support?” Leitner asked.
The comments followed reports Sunday that Netanyahu had been personally involved in efforts to persuade Leitner to withdraw.
According to Israeli political reports, discussions between Netanyahu’s representatives and the Chareidi Public party have intensified in recent days, although no agreement has been reached.
A report by Amit Segal of Channel 12 indicated that Netanyahu has so far declined to guarantee Leitner either a ministerial position in a future government or a reserved place on a Knesset list in a subsequent election.
Despite reports of progress in the discussions, party representatives have maintained that their campaign will continue.
“We’re continuing until the end,” the party said.
The Chareidi Public party has sought to distinguish itself from the established Chareidi factions, Shas and United Torah Judaism, by appealing to working Chareidim and others who believe their interests are not adequately represented.
Its platform includes a different approach to military enlistment, expanded educational and employment opportunities, and the inclusion of women on its Knesset slate.
Leitner has also emphasized protecting yeshiva bochurim from arrest over military service while advocating greater educational and employment opportunities for Chareidi families.
During a major campaign rally at Jerusalem’s International Convention Center on Motzei Shabbos, Leitner sharply criticized Shas and United Torah Judaism.
“A vote for United Torah Judaism and Shas is a wasted vote,” Leitner declared, reversing the argument frequently directed at his own party.
He also claimed that his party could achieve an unexpected result on Election Day.
In Monday’s Channel 12 interview, Leitner suggested that polling organizations might be failing to identify some of his potential supporters because they are reluctant to publicly acknowledge their voting intentions.
He cited the possibility of “shy voters” who fear social pressure or repercussions within their communities.
That argument remains unverified, and published polls have consistently placed the party below the electoral threshold.
A Channel 14 poll published last week gave Chareidi Public just 0.4% support, far short of the 3.25% required to win representation in the Knesset.
In another interview reported Monday by Srugim, Leitner acknowledged that his party had received substantial proposals in exchange for withdrawing.
“There are very generous substantive offers — offers concerning Chareidi education, high-level secular studies for those interested, and the advancement of higher education and employment,” he said.
Nevertheless, he dismissed the possibility of ending the campaign.
“There’s plenty of talk, but nothing to show for it. We’re running until the end,” Leitner said.
“We don’t have the luxury of taking a risk with our future,” he added.
The negotiations reportedly involved not only Netanyahu’s representatives but also figures associated with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionism party.
According to Channel 14 political correspondent Moti Kastel, proposals discussed during earlier negotiations included a joint press conference with Netanyahu, a written agreement preserving the party’s future political influence, or a special appointment for Leitner to represent Chareidi interests.
In return, the party would reportedly encourage its supporters to vote for Religious Zionism.
However, Chareidi Public publicly rejected reports suggesting that Leitner was prepared to withdraw under such arrangements.
Netanyahu has repeatedly warned that votes cast for parties failing to enter the Knesset could affect the balance between Israel’s competing political blocs.
During an October 15 interview with Radio 90, the prime minister was asked about several smaller parties, including Chareidi Public, and warned that votes for parties failing to cross the threshold would effectively be discarded.
His comments were directed broadly at smaller parties, rather than constituting a specific personal attack on Leitner.
The pressure has intensified following former Defense Minister Benny Gantz’s announcement Monday that his Blue and White party would withdraw from the election.
Gantz’s departure prompted additional calls from coalition politicians for smaller parties to follow his example.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar warned that the loss of votes to parties failing to enter the Knesset could have serious consequences for the next government’s composition.
Smotrich’s Religious Zionism party similarly urged smaller right-wing factions to withdraw rather than risk losing votes.
For Chareidi Public, however, the election represents more than a contest for Knesset seats.
Its leadership has presented the campaign as an effort to establish an alternative political voice within the Chareidi community, particularly among voters dissatisfied with the established parties’ positions on employment, education and military service.
With just eight days remaining before Israelis head to the polls, Leitner continues to insist that his party will remain in the race, despite the reported negotiations and the unfavorable polling numbers.
(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
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