The battle for the letter: The campaign of the new party - which angered United Torah Judaism

The new ultra-Orthodox party "Siat HaTzibur HaCharedi" ("Ultra-Orthodox Public Faction") is not being taken seriously by the sector's political leadership—at least on the surface. However, it turns out that elements within the ultra-Orthodox society are trying to put spokes in the wheels of the political movement. In the last day, four lawyers have approached them, demanding that they stop using the letter 'Gimel' (ג') in their campaign—the letter that represents United Torah Judaism (UTJ) on the ballot.

Last week, with the establishment of the party led by Beit Shemesh Deputy Mayor Motti Leitner, it launched a billboard campaign in which Leitner appears alongside the letter 'Gimel'—this is to convey the message that the faction demands to include a representative on their behalf in the United Torah Judaism party. Furthermore, the faction—whose goal, according to them, is to give a voice to communities that do not receive representation in the veteran ultra-Orthodox leadership—is also asking to include a representative in Shas.

An association named "Chukati - Charedim LaMedina VeShilton HaTziburi" ("Constitutional - Ultra-Orthodox for the State and Public Governance") approached United Torah Judaism, requesting to act against the "Siat HaTzibur HaCharedi" faction and the use of the letter 'Gimel'. In a letter sent by Adv. Moshe Schiffman, it was noted:

"The list's silence raises real difficulty. It is possible that this stems from the fact that Mr. Leitner seeks to integrate within the framework of the list, but the question arises as to why you are not acting to protect the list's symbols. You must notify whether you are joining my client in the legal proceedings that will be taken for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of the Election Law."

Adv. Chaim Kaplin approached on behalf of a citizen who, he claims, is the one appearing on the billboards—lying on the asphalt with his clothes torn following a physical confrontation. The letter stated:

"Alongside the humiliating picture of my client, you imprinted the political caption 'The honor of the Torah is trampled,' and the letter 'Gimel.' My client is an ordinary private citizen, who never gave his consent in writing, orally, explicitly, or implicitly, to make any use of his name, picture, or image for the needs of a political campaign."

This letter also raised the issue of the use of the letter that has accompanied the list for many years, and it was written: "The prominent use of the letter 'Gimel' by a new party that does not have the right to this letter constitutes a serious deception of the voting public."

An organization named "Association of Lawyers for the Promotion of Proper Administration" approached Degel HaTorah Chairman Moshe Gafni and Bnei Brak Mayor Hanoch Zeibert: "We request to act, each according to their part and way, for the removal of all the billboards by July 30. If no response is received, we will be forced to consider approaching the Central Elections Committee without delay or further warning."

From "Siat HaTzibur HaCharedi" it was stated: "The attempts by political factors to intimidate through demand letters will not stop the public struggle for the continued existence of the ultra-Orthodox sector in the Land of Israel. We will continue to act for proper representation for the entire ultra-Orthodox public in United Torah Judaism and Shas, and to fight for tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox who need leadership that will address the core problems of the sector. This public demand cannot be stopped by empty threats."