Noam Party Courts Haredi Voters in Israeli Elections

As Israel's next election approaches, the Noam party, led by Knesset member Avi Maoz, is making a concerted push to win support among haredi (ultra-Orthodox) communities. Leading that outreach is Shimon Tovul, deputy mayor of Be'er Sheva and the party's number-two candidate, who recently sat for an interview with Kikar Hashabat to discuss pressing issues facing the ultra-Orthodox sector.

In conversation with journalist Yossi Sergovsky, Tovul addressed the military draft controversy, salary disparities affecting haredi teachers, and the broader political landscape. His message combined appeals to religious values with warnings about electoral consequences for those considering staying home on election day.

"What defines a haredi party? One that truly serves the haredi public," Tovul said, arguing that mainstream haredi parties sometimes fail to address constituent needs on issues ranging from daycare centers to teacher employment and ritual baths. He positioned Noam as filling that gap.

A central plank of Noam's platform, according to Tovul, is addressing economic hardship in the haredi sector, particularly among educators. "Our main coalition demand will be the Education Ministry," he stated. "Through the Education Ministry you can have the most impact. It's unacceptable that a haredi teacher receives 60% or 70% of the salary compared to a teacher in general education, and that in exempt institutions they receive only 30%."

The issue is personal for Tovul, who noted that two of his sisters work as teachers and suffer from these wage gaps. He also referenced employment programs he established for haredi women in the tech sector in southern Israel, framing economic relief and reducing the cost of living as core priorities for the party.

Addressing concerns about whether Noam can cross Israel's electoral threshold—currently 3.25% of votes—Tovul hinted at possible political partnerships to be revealed as candidate lists finalize. But he directed his sharpest appeal to disaffected haredi voters considering abstention.

"I believe in following rabbinic guidance, and whoever's rabbis instruct him to vote for a certain party should do so," Tovul said. "But there are today in the polls about three mandates in the haredi public who don't intend to go vote out of bitterness. I say to them: whoever doesn't vote crowns a left-wing government. Come vote for us, give us the strength, and that way we'll save both the Torah world and the right-wing bloc."