Tensions erupted Monday at a Likud polling station in the predominantly haredi (ultra-Orthodox) city of Elad when local residents covered and defaced photographs of female candidates displayed as part of the party's primary elections. Female Likud activists who arrived at the polling site were asked to leave "for reasons of modesty," according to reports. Residents shouted at those present, with the confrontation centering on images of women running in the primaries, which were covered during the voting process.
Israel Politics
Likud Women Ejected from Haredi Polling Site
Haredi residents covered images of female candidates and demanded female party activists leave during Likud primary voting
The incident occurred as hundreds of haredi Likud members arrived at the Elad polling station to participate in selecting the party's Knesset slate. Their significant presence reflects the growing phenomenon of haredi membership in Likud and the involvement of ultra-Orthodox communities in the party's internal elections. Estimates place the number of haredi Likud members at approximately 7,000 out of roughly 140,000 total party members. While this represents only about five percent of eligible voters within the party, an organized bloc of several thousand voters can wield considerable influence over primary results.
