Moti Leitner Apologizes for Election Setback, Pledges to Continue Haredi Reform Effort
The Haredi Public leader took responsibility for his party's disappointing result and promised an internal campaign review, while saying his movement's work would continue.
By Reuven
Moti Leitner, leader of the Haredi Public party, apologized to supporters Thursday after the party's disappointing election result, accepting personal responsibility while pledging to continue its effort to change Haredi politics.
In an open letter, Leitner said the campaign had failed to persuade many Haredi voters who identified with its message to cast their ballots for the party. Some instead supported parties outside the Haredi political camp, he wrote.
"We failed. I failed," Leitner wrote. He said he would take responsibility for the result and work to earn supporters' trust next time.
Leitner acknowledged mistakes in the campaign's messaging and approach. He said some messages should have been softened or refined, and that other political connections might have eased supporters' fears of wasting their votes. The party would conduct an internal review of its mistakes and successes, he said.
The election setback did not change the movement's underlying goals, Leitner wrote. He pointed to discrimination within Haredi society, the unresolved military-service issue, poverty, and the limited preparation some graduates receive for entering the workforce as problems the party sought to bring into public debate.
Leitner thanked voters, activists, campaign staff, fellow candidates and his family. He also congratulated those elected to the next Knesset, particularly the Haredi representatives, and said his movement's struggle was for its community and the wider Israeli public rather than against anyone.
He closed by saying the movement's path had not ended on Election Day and had only begun, signaling that he intended to remain politically active.