A new Chareidi political party made up of men who have evaded military service is reportedly being organized ahead of Israel’s upcoming Knesset elections, in a move that could siphon tens of thousands of votes away from the established Chareidi parties.
According to a report by Israel’s Channel 13, efforts are underway to establish the new list with the involvement of the more extreme Yerushalmi faction, along with a number of rabbonim associated with the mainstream Chareidi community.
The party is being promoted as a political home for Chareidi draft evaders, with its central platform calling for exemptions from military service for Chareidi men who are currently considered draft evaders.
Those behind the initiative are reportedly seeking to capitalize on growing frustration among some Chareidi voters who believe that United Torah Judaism and Shas have failed to resolve the ongoing draft crisis.
The proposed party had sought to use a name or campaign theme meaning “Black Color,” but the Central Elections Committee reportedly asked organizers to avoid the phrase because of concerns that it could be considered socially offensive.
Political observers reportedly believe the new party has little chance of crossing the electoral threshold required to enter the Knesset. However, even without winning seats, the party could have a significant impact by drawing votes away from United Torah Judaism and Shas.
The organizers are expected to seek support from the Yerushalmi faction and other hardline groups that traditionally have not participated fully in national elections. Combined with Chareidi draft evaders and other voters dissatisfied with the handling of the draft issue by veteran Chareidi political leaders, those constituencies could potentially amount to tens of thousands of votes.
According to the report, highly conservative and hardline elements within the Chareidi community are behind the initiative. The effort is also said to have substantial financial backing, including millions in support from Chareidi donors in Israel and wealthy supporters abroad.
The development comes as enforcement against Chareidi draft evaders continues to intensify. Six Chareidi men who allegedly attempted to leave Israel were arrested Wednesday morning at Ben Gurion Airport. Two were apprehended in Terminal 1 and another four in Terminal 3.
The men were transferred to the Population and Immigration Authority, where authorities determined that military draft orders and civil orders preventing them from leaving the country had been issued against them.
The reported initiative is separate from another new Chareidi political movement known as “The Chareidi Public,” which has taken a markedly different position on the draft issue and supports both core-curriculum studies and military service.
Channel 13 reported last week that representatives of that party have been holding discussions with former IDF Maj. Gen. Ofer Winter about the possibility of running together. Such an arrangement would reportedly depend on polling showing that the new Chareidi movement could bring tens of thousands of additional votes to a joint slate.
Former Shas chairman Eli Yishai is reportedly being considered as a potential leader of that party, although he, too, is said to be waiting to see polling data before making a decision.
“The Chareidi Public” has also reportedly been holding discussions with Benny Gantz’s Blue and White and Gilad Erdan’s Unity Party as it explores possible alliances ahead of the election.
{Matzav.com}
