Tov in Bet Shemesh, despite being attacked non-stop by the local Rabbonim, who even brought R' Shteinman to RBS to speak, got over 1200 votes and a seat on the city council.
I think that a lot of the rank and file Charedim feel like the guy quoted below. When you couple that with the fact that the Torah world is broke this might be a serious change.
Israel - Haredi Voting Signals Weakening of Sector's Political Establishment
The 2008 municipal elections will go down in history as a watershed event for haredi politics that will likely have far-reaching implications on the national level.
For the first time in Israeli political history, the normally obedient haredi voters showed signs of rebellion.
In two haredi centers - Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh - there is a significant haredi contingent that has come out openly against the haredi political establishment.
...
Many have begun to question their obligations to a rabbinic leadership that rejects them and offers them no future. Many also are being to question rabbinic opinion on mundane matters such municipal elections.
As one haredi put it, "What do rabbis know about politics? Do I ask a rabbi what kind of floor cleaner I should use? We need a separation between religion and politics. I don't want rabbis to tell me what kind of cellular phone to use or where to sit on the bus.
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I think these developments are very significant and I am appreciative that you brought these changes to my attention.
As an aside I believe this news provides further support for my disagreement with
Rabbi Maryles, and my contention that the avreich and not the rosh kolel is primarily responsibe for the choice to remain in poverty.
http://haemtza.blogspot.com/(11/10)
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