Ultra-Orthodox

Shas, UTJ projected to win 12-13 seats in next Knesset, election exit polls predict

Both Shas and UTJ are part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political bloc, and their combined seat total could prove crucial in determining whether he can secure a 61-seat majority.

A view of the empty Shas party election headquarters in Jerusalem, following the closing of polling stations and the release of exit poll results on Israel’s general election night, October 27, 2026.
(L-R) Yoaz Hendel, Ofer Winter, and Moti Leitner

People of Israel, Reservists-Economic Party, Haredi Public all projected to fall short of threshold

Voters casting ballots in Israel's 25th Knesset election

Israel must move beyond Election Day and tackle its biggest challenges - opinion

Tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews attend an election rally organized by the United Torah Judaism party in the ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak, central Israel, two days ahead of Israel’s general elections, October 25, 2026.

'We do whatever they say': Yeshiva students defer to rabbis over response to IDF draft enforcement


Café Basimta: The Jerusalem café where Shabbat, religious freedom, and evangelism collide - opinion

Secular Israelis began showing up, buying coffee not because they wanted to hear about Jesus, but because they wanted to make a point about religious coercion.

The writers – Jonathan Feldstein (L) and David Nekrutman – outside Café Basimta, not on Shabbat.

Education Min. violated privacy law in leak exposing 21,000 special education students, court finds

The ministry database contains sensitive information about more than 100,000 people and, under the regulations, is therefore subject to high security requirements, the authority said.

 HAREDI YESHIVA students

Haredi demonstrator dragged by vehicle as mass anti-draft protests erupt across central Israel

Thousands of protesters bring traffic to a halt across Jerusalem, on Highway 4 • Demonstrators disrupt Shas election campaign conference in Modi'in Illit • Rioters attack light rail construction

Ultra-Orthodox protester holding a sign reading "Either Haredi or the army" during an anti-draft protest on Highway 4, October 8, 2026.

Israel Police criticize Military Police over handling of Modi'in draft dodger arrest after riot

Modi'in Mayor Haim Bibas, who also serves as chairman of the Local Authorities Federation, called on the police and the military to review their conduct.

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish protesters demonstrate against an IDF recruitment conference for the Haredi community in Jerusalem, August 4, 2026.

Police arrest three minors over attack on elderly Palestinian man near Damascus Gate

Democrats MK Gilad Kariv described the attack as racist violence and called on police to bring those responsible to justice.

Man in handcuffs - illustrative

IDF expected to resume draft evader operations as High Court deadline approaches

Military prosecutors said they were advancing measures to shorten the evasion period before criminal charges may be filed from 18 months to one year.

Illustrative: Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men block a road and clash with police during a protest against the jailing of yeshiva students who failed to comply with Israeli military draft orders, in Jerusalem, August 2, 2026.

Rabbi Lando: Zionism to blame for Arab hostility, religious IDF troops killed over 'twisted Torah'

UTJ spiritual leader Lando: '[National-Religious Jews] are being killed because their rabbis teach them twisted Torah' • Litvak rabbi says secular Israelis 'have no connection with Judaism'

Rabbi Dov Lando attends a wedding in Bnei Brak, January 15, 2026.

Undercover police arrest three haredi riot suspects after Jerusalem rock throwing

While operating in Mea She’arim, a group of rioters began throwing stones and other objects at the officers, who were then arrested.

Rioters throw rocks at Israel Police operating in Mea She'arim.

WATCH: Tens of thousands of Jewish worshipers gather for Birkat Kohanim at Western Wall

The tradition of conducting a mass event for the blessing has been a highlight of the week-long Sukkot and Passover holidays.

Jewish worshippers pray at the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest prayer site, during the traditional Birkat Kohanim ceremony on the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, in Jerusalem’s Old City, September 28, 2026.

Israel's ultra-Orthodox community can no longer avoid the hard conversations - opinion

The haredi community has the numbers, the talent, and the values to lift this country into a new and bright future; we cannot be the ones to drag it down.

Moti Leitner, deputy mayor of Beit Shemesh and founder of the Haredi Public Party, at the ‘Jerusalem Post’ studio, August 11, 2026