Haredi Party Coalition Talks: Negotiations Collapse Over List Position

Negotiations between Moti Leitner's "Haredi Public" party and the "Amcha Yisrael" faction led by retired colonel Ofer Winter have collapsed, with Leitner declining to join Winter's Knesset list. According to reports in Israel Hayom, Winter was prepared to offer Leitner's party the ninth position on his electoral slate, while the Haredi Public demanded fourth place — a gap the two sides could not bridge.

The two leaders met last Saturday at Jerusalem's Waldorf Astoria hotel for an extended discussion. Political correspondent Michael Shemesh reported observing the pair in a lengthy conversation on the hotel grounds, a meeting that sparked widespread speculation in political circles given earlier reports of exploratory talks about a possible joint run.

Israel Hayom also reported that Leitner simultaneously held exploratory discussions with associates of Benny Gantz about a potential alliance, though those efforts did not materialize. Leitner's Haredi Public party seeks to offer an independent and fresh haredi voice, emphasizing protection of the Torah world and addressing challenges in education, housing, and livelihood within the ultra-Orthodox community.

By contrast, Winter's Amcha Yisrael focuses on the broader right-wing electorate and has set clear conditions for joining any coalition. Winter stated publicly that his faction will not enter any government unless it passes legislation requiring haredi integration into the Israel Defense Forces. He has categorically rejected attempts to dismantle his party or place its members on other lists.

Meanwhile, the submission period for lists to the 26th Knesset opened today and closes tomorrow, Tuesday. After that deadline, no changes to the composition of competing parties will be possible. Winter's list was registered to submit its slate today, currently without any mergers beyond the original roster.

The failed negotiations come amid intense pressure on Winter to unite with other right-wing parties. Dozens of rabbis from the Religious Zionist movement sent an urgent letter this morning to the Amcha Yisrael chairman calling for unity with right-wing factions. "This week will determine whether the right goes into the upcoming elections with combined forces or, heaven forbid, divided," the rabbis wrote.

The appeal comes during a critical week, as Winter's party faces challenges in opinion polls. The rabbis address Winter directly: "We call on Ofer Winter to take responsibility and act immediately to continue the important work of Religious Zionism chairman Minister Bezalel Smotrich for unity in the right-wing camp."