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)