The secret negotiations between Smotrich and Netanyahu with the chairman of the "Haredi Public" party

Accelerated negotiations are underway between Bezalel Smotrich and Moti Leiter, chairman of the "Haredi Public" party, aimed at bringing about the party's withdrawal from the Knesset race and directing its supporters' votes to Religious Zionism. Among the proposals: a joint press conference with Netanyahu, an agreement to preserve the party's political power, and appointing Leiter as projector for Haredi public affairs. The party rejects the possibility of withdrawal.

In recent days, accelerated negotiations have been taking place between the "Religious Zionism" party, headed by Bezalel Smotrich, and Moti Leiter, chairman of the "Haredi Public" party, aimed at bringing about the party's withdrawal from the Knesset race and directing its supporters' votes to Religious Zionism. In meetings between the sides, various proposals arose for rewarding the party in exchange for withdrawal: a joint press conference with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a written document and an agreement for the future preservation of the party's political power, and the appointment of Leiter as a special projector for the Haredi public. In return, Leiter would instruct his people and supporters to vote for Religious Zionism, based on the understanding that it is the party closer to their views religiously and in terms of educational institutions. On the other hand, the Haredi Public party stated that the party will run to the end, and that this coming Saturday night a huge conference will be held at Binyanei HaUma. The article reports on the secret contacts and the proposals raised, while noting the party's official response rejecting the possibility of withdrawal.