A new charedi political party called the Charedi Public Party launched ahead of the 2026 Elections with the goal of securing Knesset representation to address what it describes as a "disconnect" Between the charedi population and existing political leadership. The party aims to tackle persistent issues within charedi society that current leadership has overlooked.
Party leader Moti Leitner identified widespread poverty, high community dropout rates, and growing friction between the charedi public and broader Israeli society as key concerns. He stated that the existing establishment has "failed to properly take care of our community."
The party has demanded representation on the electoral lists of both charedi parties currently in the Knesset: United Torah Judaism and Shas. A party source attributed the demand to "a growing understanding that the challenges facing the charedi sector have become a genuine threat to the future of the Charedi public in Israel."
Leitner, who serves as Deputy Mayor of Beit Shemesh and founded Derech, a municipal-level non-establishment charedi party that won election, noted that "There have been negotiations with senior officials from both Charedi parties over the demand for representation in the Knesset."
The party launched an advertising campaign Sunday at entrances and exits of major charedi cities including Bnei Brak, Jerusalem, and Elad. Party sources indicated that if Shas and UTJ reject the representation demand, the campaign will intensify and pressure on the charedi establishment will continue.
Leitner stated: "The Torah world is under an unprecedented attack, and tens of thousands of yeshiva and kollel students have become targets. Now is the time when our voices need to be heard."