Moti Leitner, chairman of the new Haredi Public party, has announced he will make a special statement to the media this evening, raising the question of whether he will withdraw from the race.
The party has been identified by the Right as one of several small lists that could drain votes from the bloc and fall below the electoral threshold, wasting those votes entirely. Just days ago, former IDF chief of staff and minister Benny Gantz announced his withdrawal and that of his Blue and White party from the election, and the Right has since launched a full-court press on parties polling near the threshold within its own camp. While the main target has been Ofer Winter's list, Haredi Public has also been in the sights.
Earlier today, Leitner himself confirmed he had received significant offers from the prime minister in exchange for stepping aside. "Netanyahu asked me last night to withdraw," Leitner said. "I made it clear to him that there is no reason to discuss operational steps when the chareidi parties refuse to commit that they will support the moves and reforms Netanyahu promised to advance for the chareidi public."
