New ultra-Orthodox party seeks to challenge establishment with broader national agenda

The new Charedi Public Party, led by Beit Shemesh Deputy Mayor Moti Leitner, aims to challenge established ultra-Orthodox parties by addressing critical issues within the haredi community and promoting national unity. The party's platform supports full-time Torah study while advocating for military or national service for ultra-Orthodox men not engaged in yeshiva studies. It also seeks to improve math and English instruction in haredi schools and enhance economic security. Leitner stated, "For the first time in history, we created a haredi party with the objective not to give jobs to intimates, not to put a finger in the eye of other groups, but to solve once and for all the issues of Israeli society and the haredim." The party's list includes women, reflecting its goal to represent a broader spectrum of the haredi public, and it supports a wide unity government for Israel.