United Torah Judaism

Netanyahu must decide if he's a leader or follower as his government loses Israel's trust - opinion

Why then does Netanyahu choose to turn his back on the will of the majority, thereby eroding public trust in him and his government?

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir at a Knesset debate, July 14, 2025; illustrative.
 Yitzhak Goldknopf at the Knesset on March 3, 2025.

Goldknopf: Haredim will leave Israel if 'there is no choice' in IDF enlistment

 Benjamin Netanyahu and Yuli Edelstein seen at the Knesset on November 4, 2021

Netanyahu's Likud to remove Edelstein from key committee over haredi draft fallout

 Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee MK Yuli Edelstein speaks at the Muni Expo 2025 conference in Tel Aviv, on July 15, 2025.

Yuli Edelstein stands on principle for crafting conscription law for haredi population - editorial


'We failed, made a mistake' on judicial reform, haredi draft bill deal, UTJ's Goldknopf says

UTJ was told to support the judicial reform as it would allow for a "basic law of Torah study," and another law as an override clause, Yitzhak Goldknopf claimed in an interview with Kikar HaShabbat.

 Yitzhak Goldknopf at a United Torah Judaism meeting at the Knesset, Jerusalem, May 19, 2025.

‘Read my lips this gov't will not fall’: Israeli coalition faces crisis over haredi draft law

As Israel’s ruling coalition fractures over the Haredi Draft bill, religious parties threaten to quit, and pressure mounts from reservists, the government clings to a narrow majority.

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seen speaking at the Knesset.

Reality check: Ultra-Orthodox rabbis are leading their flock to a historic dead end - opinion

MIDDLE ISRAEL: In their wartime conduct, the ultra-orthodox rabbis show a lack of commitment and a real disconnection with reality.

 "We are at war. Join it! Fully, immediately, to the last of you, like everyone else," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not tell Shas leader Arye Deri.

Israel's post-holiday politics: Will Netanyahu take a political hit to keep coalition intact?

NATIONAL AFFAIRS: With Shas out of the government, Netanyahu faces a decision between taking a hit to maintain the coalition or preparing for the upcoming elections.

Even as Shas followed United Torah Judaism’s lead and declared on Wednesday it was leaving the government, it did so with a major caveat: ‘We are leaving the government, but we are not quitting the coalition.’ Here, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sits alongside Shas chairman Arye Deri in 2023.

Israeli gov't no longer has mandate to avoid October 7 state probe, bereaved parents say

“A government that has lost its majority has no mandate to erase the October 7 massacre and bury the truth,” the families concluded.

 Families of Israelis held hostage in the Gaza Strip and activists protest at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, May 5, 2025

Knesset election dynamics largely unchanged despite Shas, UTJ leaving gov't, N12 poll finds

Israel's Channel 12 conducted a poll on general election scenarios following the Sephardi-haredi Shas Party's Wednesday announcement that they are leaving the coalition.

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir at a Knesset debate, July 14, 2025; illustrative.

Shas spiritual leaders order party members to quit government

Shas's leaders directed MKs not to topple the government, though their decision shrinks Netanyahu's coalition to 29 MKs.

 Head of Shas party Arye Deri, June 8, 2025.

As Israel grieves, Netanyahu puts coalition deals ahead of national sacrifice - editorial

The IDF does not belong to one segment of society. The physical defense of the state cannot rest on the shoulders of some while others stand apart and watch.

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seen in the plenum of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, July 14, 2025

Netanyahu offers to fire Edelstein for haredi parties staying in coalition

Edelstein called on haredi politicians to exhibit “national responsibility” and refrain from toppling the government over their insistence to exempt at least half of eligible haredim from IDF draft.

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

Does UTJ’s departure mean that Israel is heading to an election? - analysis

The short answer is probably yes, but not immediately.

 Ultra orthodox jews at the headquarters of United Torah Judaism list for the Beit Shemesh municipality, during the Municipal Elections, in Beit Shemesh, February 27, 2024.

Edelstein to haredim: Now is not time to topple government

Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chair Yuli Edelstein called on haredi politicians to exhibit “national responsibility.”

 Committee Chairman Yuli Edelstein leads a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on May 8, 2025.