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Israel Politics

New Haredi Party Claims 15 Rabbis' Support

'Haredi Public' party says it has formed a rabbinic committee to guide policy decisions, but Rabbi Yitzhak Bar Haim says his name was used without permission

Campaign Billboard by the Haredi Public Party

Days after the launch of 'Haredi Public' (HaTzibur HaHaredi), a new ultra-Orthodox political party, sources within the organization claim they have established a rabbinic advisory committee of 15 members.

The sources provided a partial list of committee members, including Rabbi Yossi Ben Arza, Rabbi Yehoshua Pfeffer, Rabbi Yitzhak Bar Haim, Rabbi Itamar Avishai, Rabbi Dov Ludmir, Rabbi Netanel Amar, Rabbi Adlerstein, Rabbi Gross, Rabbi Wohlgelernter, and Rabbi Mayer. These names represent only a portion of the full 15-member committee, according to the party.

Moti Leitner launches a new party
Moti Leitner launches a new party (Chaim Goldberg / Flash90)

Among the more prominent names disclosed are Rabbi Yehoshua Pfeffer, who leads the "Or Hadash" congregation and until recently served as a rabbinical judge on the court of prominent posek Rabbi Asher Weiss. Also listed is Rabbi Yitzhak Bar Haim, a co-founder of the Haredi Nahal program who has spent years working with frameworks designed for ultra-Orthodox soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces.

Party officials say they intend the rabbinic committee to provide religious guidance for decision-making and to address issues on the public agenda. This move comes as 'Haredi Public' expands its grassroots activities and launches a campaign this week across ultra-Orthodox cities and population centers.

However, Rabbi Bar Haim, one of the 15 rabbis whose name appeared on the published list, has requested his name be removed from the roster. Sources close to him clarify that while he may support in principle the existence of an additional Haredi party, this does not constitute endorsement of this specific party or a position regarding its electoral campaign.

"Denies any connection, never interfered in politics, everyone should act according to their rabbis' instructions. They put my name in without asking me first," the rabbi stated.

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