United Torah Judaism

New haredi party launches, aiming to secure spot in Knesset ahead of elections

The new ultra-Orthodox Haredi Public Party led by the deputy mayor of Beit Shemesh, Moti Leitner, launched on Sunday with a large-scale advertising campaign in major haredi cities.

The Haredi Public party launched a large-scale advertising campaign at the entrances to and exits from major haredi cities on July 19, 2026.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the IDF's 192nd pilot course graduation ceremony.

Israel's next election is a chance to end politics of division - opinion

Shas head Arye Deri is seen in the plenum of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, July 14, 2025

Knesset advances Torah study bill after haredim, Netanyahu agree to strip controversial clause

Protesters supporting the conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men into the Israeli military block a road in the ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak, central Israel, in protest against the continued road blockades by ultra-Orthodox demonstrators following the arrest of draft evaders, June 26, 2026.

Ultra-Orthodox party paralyzes Knesset votes to force through military draft exemptions


Not just 'anyone but Bibi': Israel is in election mode, but where is the ideology? - editorial

Israel's political parties should run campaigns focused on offering real ideas and alternatives. That is how political movements grow and how politics regain substance.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a 40 signatures debate, at the plenum hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on January 19, 2026.

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.

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

The move will reportedly allow Yitzhak Pindrus, from the Degel Hatorah faction, to return to the Knesset as well, after he had previously been pushed off the United Torah Judaism Party list.

MK Yisrael Eichler arrives for a meeting of the Council of Torah Sages regarding the Haredi draft exemption bill in Jerusalem, January 7, 2026.

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

The Israel-Hamas War did not only take bodies; it took spirit. It took marriages, jobs, sleep, and the sense that someone competent is steering.

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

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

As it seems possible that a US attack on Iran may lead to another Iranian attack on Israel, there’s very little any of us can do except stock up on groceries and try to laugh about it all.

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

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