A newly formed political party seeking to attract liberal-minded members of the Chareidi community is facing fresh scrutiny following a report claiming that two close associates of Gadi Eisenkot played key roles in its early development. Party officials, however, are strongly denying the allegations and calling them defamatory.

The party, known as “Hatzibur Hachareidi” and headed by Moti Leitner, was established to represent Chareidim seeking an alternative political voice. According to a report by Kan News, the party received strategic guidance during its formative stages from individuals closely associated with Eisenkot, the leader of the “Yashar!” party.

The report states that Ronen Manelis and Ronen Aviani, both considered members of Eisenkot’s inner circle, were involved in the party’s initial organization and helped shape its strategic direction. Once the party’s infrastructure, leadership team, and overall strategy had been put in place, the two reportedly stepped back from day-to-day involvement, although Aviani is said to have continued offering advice on selected matters.

Kan News also reported that, in private conversations, Aviani expressed skepticism that the party would succeed in crossing Israel’s electoral threshold in the next Knesset election. In addition, Inbar Giti, a candidate on Eisenkot’s Knesset slate, is reportedly in contact with members of the new party as well as some of its donors.

The Hatzibur Hachareidi party forcefully rejected the report, issuing a statement that read: “We regret that the reporter chose to publish false information. It should be emphasized that Ronen Manelis, Ronen Aviani, and Inbar Giti have never advised the party, and any claim to the contrary amounts to serious defamation. The Hatzibur Hachareidi party was established out of the cry of tens of thousands of Chareidim seeking representation, while remaining firmly aligned with the right-wing bloc and camp. A group of panicked political operatives from the Chareidi parties, who have placed all their hopes on dismantling the right-wing bloc and are in a state of panic, are busy spreading lies instead of looking the real problems facing Chareidi society squarely in the eye.”