From the Liveblog of
Monday, August 24, 2026
New Haredi party puts up billboards declaring ‘Those who do not learn should serve’
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleSam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
The new ultra-Orthodox party that supports IDF conscription and secular studies, called The Charedi Public, launches an advertising campaign in Haredi neighborhoods, posting billboards declaring that “Those who do not learn should serve” and “Haredi children too need math and English.”
The party’s campaign also features slogans criticizing the current Haredi political leadership, asking, “Where were you during the last term in office?
לאחר שהודיעה על ריצה לכנסת, מפלגת ׳הציבור החרדי׳ השיקה קמפיין חוצות נרחב בערים החרדיות ובו המסרים: ״מי שלא לומד – ישרת״ ועל הצורך בשילוב לימודי ליבה ״גם ילד חרדי צריך מתמטיקה ואנגלית״ pic.twitter.com/YlhPEaWlGh
— ישראל כהן (@Israelcohen911) August 24, 2026
According to Army Radio, the campaign costs over NIS 2 million ($666,333). It also reports that the party held talks with the existing Haredi parties.
The party officially launched its Knesset campaign in Beit Shemesh on Sunday with a closed event intended to prevent disruptions by extremists.
The Times of Israel Community.