Does Moti Leitner's 'Chareidi Public' party, which held a campaign rally with hundreds of participants at Binyanei Ha'uma over the weekend, worry the established chareidi parties? In an interview with Kikar Hashabbat, MK Meir Porush, chairman of Sholomei Emunei Yisrael (the Agudah faction within United Torah Judaism), explained that he is not concerned.
When asked whether it's possible to ignore a movement that has drawn hundreds from the chareidi public saying they want something different, Porush replied: "A, you can ignore it. I have no idea. You can ignore it! If you're asking me whether I saw people in the pictures who are identified with our party, with Agudah, I didn't see any! Not from Degel Hatorah either."
He continued: "Could be these people voted for Ben Gvir until now, could be they didn't vote at all. You know quite well, and they know too, that they're not getting in at the end. So whoever wants to vote for them... I don't want to speak about anyone, I'm looking for votes for United Torah Judaism."
Asked what he would say to a public that wants "something different" from chareidi politics, Porush answered: "What can you do? You'd also like to be an MK, wouldn't you? There are people you know who want to be MKs, do they get into the Knesset? Not everyone gets into the Knesset. There are those who say 'I'll try, what is there, I'll try.'"
On the fact that for the first time there is a chareidi woman running for the Knesset, Porush responded: "Where? In United Torah Judaism? You're talking again about the Chareidi Public party... What does the woman have to do with us? How many times do I need to tell you in the same interview?"
