United Torah Judaism

Government submits 2026 budget to Knesset, Smotrich vows passage despite rifts

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said that the government was "determined to pass it [the state budget] on first reading,” during a press conference at the Knesset on Monday.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich after a press conference at the ministry, December 4, 2025; illustrative.
MK Yisrael Eichler arrives for a meeting of the Council of Torah Sages regarding the Haredi draft exemption bill in Jerusalem, January 7, 2026.

Netanyahu to appoint UTJ’s Yisrael Eichler to gov’t role to pass contentious haredi draft bill

MK Boaz Bismuth seen with haredi MKs and Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer in the Knesset, Jerusalem, January 14, 2026.

IDF draft equality is minimum condition to restore Israeli solidarity - editorial

OMER ETZION, acting as US President Donald Trump on Eretz Nehederet.

‘Maybe we’ll bomb them, maybe I’ll just dance’: Eretz Nehederet laughs at Trump’s Iran attack plan


Ultra-Orthodox sages convene on haredi IDF draft bill, withhold official stance

The rabbis reportedly did not reach a decision on the matter; however, they allegedly decided internally to reject the sanctions imposed on draft evaders.

Rabbi Yaakov Aryeh Alter, head of the Gur hassidic dynasty,  seen after a meeting of the Council of Torah Sages regarding the haredi draft exemption bill in Jerusalem, January 7, 2026.

Millions transferred to haredi schools without Knesset approval, state admits to court

During the hearing, a state representative acknowledged that a significant portion of the funds had already been transferred prior to the Finance Committee discussion.

Opposition head Yair Lapid arrives for a court hearing at the Supreme Court on a petition against the transfer of funds to ultra-Orthodox educational institutions, January 8, 2026

Beyond the bus: Addressing hate behind Eisenthal’s death in a Jerusalem riot - editorial

The driver, an Arab Israeli, reportedly called the police seeking assistance in getting out of the mob.

Ultra-Orthodox demonstrators protest at the Bar Ilan intersection in Jerusalem on November 6, 2016, following the arrest of a haredi draft-dodger.

From yellow badges to ‘extermination ovens’: Toxic rhetoric of haredi draft protests - editorial

The latest affront occurred on Sunday when UTJ chairperson Yitzhak Goldknopf compared enforcing yeshiva students’ conscription to “placing a yellow badge on them.”

Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) protesters gather in Mea She'arim, Jerusalem, to celebrate draft dodgers' release from miiltary prison, November 30, 2025; illustrative.

High Court to hear two cases blocking haredi education funds amid legal disputes

Supreme Court Justice Yael Willner ordered that hearings in both cases be held by January 8, and instructed the parties to submit preliminary responses up to 24 hours beforehand.

Supreme Court justices preside over a hearing at the High Court of Justice in Jerusalem, December 1, 2025

High Court freezes NIS 1b. haredi education transfer over recovery concerns

The petition was filed by opposition head and Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid, together with party lawmakers, against budget transfers approved by the Knesset Finance Committee.

Haredi protesters block Highway 4 near Bnei Brak during a protest denouncing the IDF draft, December 28, 2025.

Despite turbulent week, demand for commission of inquiry, bloc map remain stable - poll

Against the backdrop of the draft law, the establishment of a government commission of inquiry, and the interview by Eli Feldstein on the Qatargate affair, coalition parties maintain their strength.

Knesset members attend a plenum hearing, October 29, 2025; illustrative.

Ultra-Orthodox leaders give haredi factions green light to advance IDF draft bill

The past week has seen violence from within the haredi community from extremists who are against a law that would require army enlistment from members of the community.

 Rabbi Dov Lando seen during a meeting to discuss the drafting of ultra-Orthodox jews to the IDF in the ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak, April 5, 2024.

Jewish family settles discrimination case after gifted school expulsion

A Jewish family reached a settlement with a school in Virginia after their children were expelled amid complaints of persistent antisemitic bullying.

Jewish students at El Camino Real Charter High School walk out to protesting antisemitic incidents at the Los Angeles school on Feb. 27, 2024.

Liberman slams haredi draft-dodger extremists, ultra-Orthodox parties condemn violence

UTJ and Shas denounce violent haredi extremists as tensions rise over a contentious IDF draft bill, prompting political backlash and stalled legislation.

Yisrael Beytenu chairperson Avigdor Liberman denounces the haredi extremists during a Knesset faction press conference, November 17, 2025.