New Alternative Haredi Party Launched
Rabbi Moti Leitner launched the new "HaTzibur HaCharedi" party in Beit Shemesh, advocating for national service and workforce integration for modern Haredim.
Jerusalem, 23 August, 2026 (TPS-IL) — “HaTzibur HaCharedi” (Haredi Public) party was launched in a ceremony in Beit Shemesh, a large ultra-Orthodox city outside Jerusalem.
Headed by Rabbi Moti Leitner, a successful software developer who serves as deputy mayor of Beit Shemesh, the new party has declared its intention to serve as an alternative to the traditional ultra-Orthodox parties.
The new party’s literature says it is focused on the needs of working and more modern Haredim. Its platform states plainly, “Every young Haredi man who does not dedicate his life to full-time Torah study should perform national security service, like every other Israeli citizen,” under conditions that would not alter his Haredi lifestyle and strict observance of Jewish law.
“We will work to ensure that everyone has a fair opportunity to integrate successfully into the workforce through targeted training programs, tailored educational pathways, affirmative action in the civil service, and incentives for private-sector employers,” the platform states.