JERUSALEM (VINnews) — A new charedi political party, called the“Charedi Public Party” was launched on Sunday ahead of the 2026 Elections, with the stated goal of securing a spot in the Knesset to bridge the “disconnect” between the Charedi population and existing political leadership. The new party seeks to solve a host of problems within Charedi society that the current leadership has neglected for too long.

Party leader Moti Leitner pointed to widespread poverty, the high dropout rates from
the community itself, and the immense friction that has developed between the
Charedi public and the rest of Israeli society. Leitner added that the existing
establishment has “failed to properly take care of our community”.

The party has demanded that a representative from their ranks be included on the
lists of both Charedi parties currently in the Knesset – United Torah Judaism (UTJ)
and Shas.

A source in the party stated that the demand stems from “a growing understanding
that the challenges facing the charedi sector have become a genuine threat to the
future of the Charedi public in Israel.”

Moti Leitner currently serves as the Deputy Mayor of Beit Shemesh & is the founder
of the Derech party (municipal), the first non-establishment charedi party to win a
municipal election.

Leitner added:“There have been negotiations with senior officials from both Charedi
parties over the demand for representation in the Knesset”.

The party launched a large-scale advertising campaign on Sunday at the entrances
and exits of major charedi cities, focusing on Bnei Brak, Yerushalayim, Elad, and
others.

Sources within the faction noted that unless the Charedi parties, Shas and UTJ,
accept its demand for adequate representation, the campaign will intensify, and its
leaders will continue to put pressure on the Charedi establishment to make sure that
the voice of the Charedi public is heard.

Leitner explained, “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.”