United Torah Judaism

Haredi parties plan to remain outside government coalition until draft law is resolved

Once the issue that has shaken the haredi political establishment is resolved, the haredi parties could then consider joining the sitting government.

Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, government ministers and members of Knesset attend a plenum session and a vote on a bill to freeze arrests of haredi draft evaders at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, July 14, 2026.
A poster reading "A government of peace will bring difference", near the Ayalon highway in Tel Aviv. September 10, 2026.

Maariv pollster analyzes election race, Likud challenges, and threshold battles

Shas leader MK Arye Deri (L) and United Torah Judaism leader MK Ya’akov Asher.

Israel Election 2026: What do Arye Deri's Shas and Yaakov Asher's United Torah Judaism stand for?

Benjamin Netanyahu, Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett.

Israeli polls split on 2026 Knesset election possibilities, as Yashar, Likud vie for primacy - poll


'Start with Lazimi': Haredi lawmaker suggests opposition MK should be shot for protesting

In response, MK Adi Ezuz (Yesh Atid) turned the conversation back onto Pindrus, noting that by his logic, UTJ Head Yitzhak Goldknopf, the leader of Pindrus's party, should also be shot in the legs.

MK Yitzhak Pindrus speaks during a Finance committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, June 3, 2026.

Marathon Knesset meetings set to rapidly advance haredi parties’ contentious Torah study bill

The bill seeks to enshrine Torah study in the country’s Basic Law as part of a proposal that critics argue encourages draft evasion and changes the status of yeshiva students who do not serve.

MKS ATTEND a House committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem, on June 16, 2026.

Israel's gov't must not serve interests of ultra-Orthodox party leaders, opposition heads declare

Leader of the Democrats party, Yair Golan, called to “block every shekel that finances draft evasion,” as well as institutions that incite against service.

A convoy of Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men rally against the military inscription, on road 1 outside of Jerusalem, June 24, 2026.

Haredi leaders say they will support Knesset dissolution if no progress made on draft bills

According to their statement, Netanyahu "made it clear at the meeting that he is committed to approving the laws and will work to advance them quickly."

Shas chairman MK Arye Deri attends the State Comptroller elections at the plenum of the Knesset, in Jerusalem, June 3, 2026.

Torah study and Israeli military service are both sacred, but not the same - opinion

Public backlash over proposed legislation reflects a broader struggle over how Israel defines service, sacrifice and equality.

Haredim block a road and clash with police to protest the jailing of seminary students who fail to comply with IDF recruitment orders, June 1.

Likud, Netanyahu dropping in public eyes amid Iran war, contentious legislation - poll

This is Likud’s lowest figure since August 2025, when it received 21 seats in a Maariv poll. However, the coalition bloc maintained its strength from last week at 50 seats.

A LIKUD supporter waves the party’s flag at a gathering, a show of grassroots loyalty which has long defined the movement, even as critics say its primaries have reshaped, and at times distorted, who rises within its ranks.

Goldknopf protests 'exclusion' of haredi West Bank communities from budget in letter to Netanyahu

"How is it possible that the budgets, development, and benefits that reach the other communities never reach the ultra-Orthodox population centers in Judea and Samaria?" Goldknopf asked.

PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu is seen walking past haredi lawmaker Yitzhak Goldknopf, at the Prime Minister’s Office in 2023.

Knesset advances bill to enshrine Torah study into Basic Law, supporting haredi draft evaders

It proposes that the State of Israel "recognize those who commit themselves to long-term dedication to Torah study as performing significant service to the state and the Jewish people."

MK Tally Gotliv and and MK Ofir Katz attend a House committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem on, June 9, 2026.

Deri says Shas supports draft evaders during prison visit, calls to add Torah study to Basic Law

The visit was made to the Neve Tzedek Military Prison, and Deri was accompanied by other lawmakers from his party, including MK Michael Malkieli and Haim Biton.

SHAS PARTY leader Arye Deri visits military prison expressing support for draft evaders, Sunday, June 7, 2026.

Knesset advances ultra-Orthodox daycare subsidy bill after haredi threat to back Oct. 7 probe

The legislation was sponsored by MK Moshe Gafni (United Torah Judaism) and a group of additional haredi lawmakers.

A plenum session at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, May 27, 2026.