A tale of two Charedi breakaway parties. Two Charedi parties challenged UTJ and Shas in the 2026 election— and both collapsed. HaTzibur HaChareidi, led by Moti Leitner, pitched a more modern alternative for working Charedim and even put women on its list. It raised significant funds—reports put guarantees and donations in the range of 8–12 million shekels—yet received only about 9,000 votes (0.19%). That works out to roughly $320–$450 per vote. Tzeva Shachor, associated with Eliyahu Baumrind, took a hardline stance, demanding an absolute return to the old draft exemption with no compromises. It operated on a leaner budget of roughly 2.5 million shekels and took about 9,500 votes (0.20%), or around $80–$85 per vote. Combined, they drew fewer than 19,000 votes—well under half a seat. By comparison, UTJ received roughly 276,000 votes and Shas about 258,000—together over 534,000 votes, or more than 28 times the breakaways’ total. The two new lists amounted to less than 3.5% of the vote received by the established Charedi parties. Gedolim opposed both breakaways, and the community largely circled the wagons. Frustration existed, but it did not translate into votes. The established parties held their ground; the challengers did not.

An Arab doctor in Israel tells a Chareidi influencer he's voting Gimmel (UTJ) because of the Vizhnitzer Rebbe.

"I haven't even davened Shacharis yet." Rav Shimon Galai emerged from sitting Shiva for his brother to vote, and said he didn't need to consult any Posek for this. "I didn't ask questions - this is the Shulchan Aruch. Whoever doesn't understand this is lacking in the foundations of religion."