"Whoever does not study - let them enlist": The Haredi candidate troubling Deri and Gafni

Moti Leitner, chairman of the "Haredi Public" faction, began his political career in Beit Shemesh, when he founded the "Derech" list with partners under the slogan "Residents for the Residents". Against what he describes as a "desert" of communities and institutions, the list became a local success. Now Leitner is aiming for the national arena. His goal is to give a voice to tens of thousands of working Haredim, immigrants, returnees to religion, and other communities that do not find their voice in the establishment Haredi parties.

In a poignant interview, he puts things on the table — from the conscription law, through extremist violence, to the handling of sexual abuse — with the goal of caring for the future of Haredi society.

Why is there a need for a new Haredi party? After all, the existing Haredi parties claim that they also represent the working Haredim.

"The Haredi parties have failed to represent and care for the world of Torah, so will they care for the working Haredim? Today there are very large groups in the Haredi sector that are not represented, and the needs of our children and communities simply do not receive an answer. We approached to integrate into the existing parties, but we were met with disregard. If we do not run, the right-wing bloc will lose mandates of people who simply will not go out to vote because they have no one to vote for. The Haredi public will be represented in the next Knesset in any way required."

The issue of the conscription law is tearing the people apart. Will you support sanctions on those who do not study Torah?

"The position is clear: whoever studies Torah and Torah is their craft — must sit and study, this is our highest value. At the same time, anyone who does not study must go and serve in the security forces — military, civil, or national service. The madness in which Torah students are considered criminals must stop, but at the same time, whoever does not enlist and does not study must understand the meaning, just as law enforcement authorities act against those who do not pay taxes."

How will you react to violent attacks on soldiers and police officers in Haredi concentrations?

"It is horrific and shocking. It is a slope where norms have been completely blurred. However, one cannot come to an entire public in one day, after decades in which the IDF did not really want Haredim and it was convenient for everyone in this lie, and demand it to change overnight without tracks that are truly adapted to it."

Will you integrate women into the list for the Knesset?

"We are coming to represent the public and not to educate it. The Haredi public today is still not ready for this and not ripe for this. Changes are made on the stairs and not in the elevator, and we must leave something for future generations as well. The burning thing now is to solve the distresses that prevent us from living here together as one people."

Sexual abuse in the Haredi sector is a topic that has no political representation. How will you handle this?

"This is one of the most painful and agonizing distresses today in the Haredi sector. There are organizations like "Magen" that do holy work, but without Haredi political representation, this activity is a drop in the ocean. We will harness the government mechanisms and ensure that they have the tools and budgets required to deal with this distress."

Why bring Eli Yishai? After all, he is considered a politician from the old establishment.

"Why Eli Yishai? Eli Yishai, for many years, sacrificed his life for the public as a public servant. He won the trust and blessing of many of the great people of previous generations."

If Gadi Eizenkot forms a government and offers better conditions for your public — will you sit with him?

"Our commitment is total to the faith-based bloc and the right-wing bloc led by Netanyahu, who have proven over decades a commitment to the world of Torah, and we believe in the victory of this bloc. At the same time, during a time of war, it is right that there should be a broad unity government that will act to rehabilitate the people."

Is it right to promote the judicial reform unilaterally?

"There is a consensus among the people that the balance between the authorities has been broken, and the situation today is simply unacceptable. The way to restore the balance must be done through responsible and joint work of different sides on the political map, similar to the understandings that were almost reached at the President's residence on the eve of October 7th."