A new political movement was announced Monday evening in Netivot that could shake up the balance of power among traditional and religious voters ahead of Israel’s next election. Tens of thousands of followers of the late Rabbi Yoram Abargel, organized under the “Committee of Rabbi Abargel’s Students,” announced the formation of a new party called “Achi” that will run in the upcoming Knesset elections.
The party’s launch marks an entry into territory long dominated by Shas, and could lead to a direct battle for the votes of traditional voters, Torah scholars, residents of Israel’s periphery, and other communities identified with the Sephardic Torah world. The party’s founders say it’s designed to serve citizens who feel they aren’t currently represented by any existing party.
Rabbi Yuval Elimelech (53), director of Rabbi Abargel’s educational institutions in Netivot, will head the list. Additional details about other list members and rabbis supporting the move are expected to be released later. At a gathering held Monday evening at the grave of the late Rabbi Yoram Abargel in Netivot, Rabbi Elimelech explained the background for establishing the movement and said: “In the current situation where there are those who don’t find their place and feel that no party represents them, we will be a home for them.”
He added: “The Achi movement will be a home of love for Israel and Jewish identity. Concern for educating Israel’s children is at the top of our priorities. The current reality that we have no representatives obligates us to rise up and act.” According to him, “In the Achi movement, all the tribes of Israel are together—Torah scholars alongside soldiers, yeshiva students alongside working people. The Achi movement will be a home with strength and will be the right bridge to preserve the right-wing bloc.”
The announcement marks an attempt to build a broad political framework that crosses sectors, and positions a new player in the battle for the traditional-religious vote. The central question now is whether Achi will succeed in translating its organizational strength on the ground into significant electoral power—and become a real rival to Shas at the ballot box.