The sight of Haredim streaming to the polls in last week’s Likud primaries points to a deeper and troubling trend: Likud, Israel’s long-ruling party, is changing its character and values, becoming an ideological offshoot of Shas and edging ever closer to United Torah Judaism. In speeches by its MKs, in the legislation and policies it advances, and now in the dramatic Haredi presence among party members and primary voters, Haredi ideology is steadily taking over Likud. Choosing a less Zionist path and preferring Haredi values is a legitimate political choice. But Israel’s ruling party should at least be candid with the public about the transformation it is undergoing.

At several polling stations in last week’s Likud primaries, black and white were the dominant colors. This was especially striking at Jerusalem polling places near Haredi neighborhoods, including the International Convention Center, but Haredi voters were prominent elsewhere as well.

It is hard to know exactly how many Haredim joined Likud and voted in the primaries. Reasonable estimates, based on claims........

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