United Torah Judaism

Coalition talks at a crossroads as Eisenkot, Netanyahu battle for haredi parties

One of the central issues occupying the haredi parties is the guarantees they would receive that commitments made to them would be honored after the government is sworn in.

Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot alongside members of his party at the party’s election headquarters in Tel Aviv, following the closing of polling stations and the release of exit poll results on Israel’s general election night, October 28, 2026.
United Torah Judaism party head MK Yaakov Asher alongside members of his party at the party’s election headquarters in the ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak, October 28, 2026.

Want to save Jews? Do not give the Interior Ministry to the haredim - opinion

Yashar head Gadi Eisenkot seen behind Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as party leaders pose for a group picture in the Knesset, in Jerusalem, November 10, 2026

Eisenkot slams Netanyahu's 'unity' calls as political play, as Smotrich calls on Eisenkot to accept

Yashar head Gadi Eisenkot seen behind Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as party leaders pose for a group picture in the Knesset, in Jerusalem, November 10, 2026

Netanyahu buys time as haredi parties weigh Eisenkot coalition, but lacks alternative - analysis


Smotrich pushes Eisenkot for unity gov't, Shas denies talking with 'left-wing' parties

Liberman pledges to establish commission of inquiry into October 7 • Netanyahu warns haredi parties against joining Eisenkot bloc • Eisenkot backs Elisaf Peretz, condemns 'racist anti-Arab campaign'

Joint List leader Yousef Jabareen and faction chairman Ahmad Tibi attend a faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, November 10, 2026.

'They will use you and throw you away': Netanyahu warns haredi parties away from Eisenkot-led bloc

According to a source familiar with the negotiations, Netanyahu is personally speaking with rabbis, sending emissaries to the haredi leadership, and attempting to reach rabbis outside senior leaders.

Yashar head Gadi Eisenkot and UTJ head Yakov Asher shake hands as party leaders pose for a group picture in the Knesset, in Jerusalem, November 10, 2026

Arye Deri investigating Shas defeat, Netanyahu warns haredi parties away from Eisenkot bloc

Ra'am, Joint List parties are in contact with senior officials from UTJ • Eisenkot, Netanyahu discuss possible renewed military action against Iran in security briefing

Shas chairman Arye Deri attends a vote at the plenum hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on July 16, 2026.

UTJ leads talks with Eisenkot-led bloc due to deep Shas-Likud ties, ex-Shas spokesperson says

"There is a fundamental difference between the approaches of the different leaderships, between the Ashkenazi ultra-Orthodox leadership and the Sephardi ultra-Orthodox leadership," he said.

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

Arab parties in contact with senior UTJ officials over negotiations with Yashar-led bloc - report

Abbas reportedly suggested that joint talks could give legitimacy to a more lenient arrangement on the issue across the political spectrum, while also positioning UTJ as a potential "kingmaker."

MK Mansour Abbas, chairman of the United Arab List (Ra’am) party, and MK Yoav Segalovitz hold a press conference following consultations with Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem.

Haredi parties welcome in Eisenkot-led gov't if they accept four principles, Yashar's Meridor says

Yashar MK Shaul Meridor said haredi parties could join an Eisenkot-led emergency government if they accept four principles, including universal service and recognition of Hamas as a terrorist group.

Yashar head Gadi Eisenkot and UTJ head Yakov Asher shake hands as party leaders pose for a group picture in the Knesset, in Jerusalem, November 10, 2026

Israel's 26th Knesset has an opportunity to get to work - editorial

Israel cannot afford to wait for coalition negotiations to conclude. The newly elected Knesset must begin addressing urgent national challenges without delay.

The Knesset plenum is seen during the inaugural session of the 26th Knesset, in Jerusalem, November 10, 2026

Netanyahu, Eisenkot discuss security after Liberman says PM could 'drag Israel into war'

Arab parties in contact with senior UTJ officials over negotiations with Yashar-led bloc • Miriam Peretz threatens to leave Knesset if Yashar joins with Arab party

Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot arrives at the Knesset in Jerusalem for the opening session and swearing-in ceremony of the 26th Knesset, November 10, 2026.

Liberman set to become only Eisenkot-bloc leader with direct security ties to Netanyahu

Liberman was set to head the Knesset's temporary Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, while Eisenkot urged Netanyahu to exercise restraint in security decisions during the political transition.

Avigdor Liberman (L), Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Eisenkot takes control of Knesset, but speaker pick may complicate government formation - analysis

Eisenkot has the votes to reshape the Knesset, but his choice of Matan Kahana for speaker could complicate efforts to bring haredi parties into a governing coalition.

Yashar party member Matan Kahana attends the presentation of the party’s candidate list ahead of the upcoming general elections in Rosh HaAyin, September 7, 2026.