United Torah Judaism

Knesset advances 2026 state budget in first reading amid coalition crisis over haredi draft

The Degel Hatorah faction within United Torah Judaism received a green light from spiritual leader Rabbi Dov Lando to vote in favor of the state budget, Lando's office said.

|ByKESHET NEEV
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen after the vote on the state budget at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, January 28, 2026.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet seen at the Knesset plenum, June 11, 2025

Outcome of state budget vote uncertain amid coalition crisis over haredi draft

By law, if the state budget is not approved in all three readings by the end of March, when the fiscal year closes, the Knesset will automatically dissolve, and elections will be called.

|ByKESHET NEEV
A PLENUM session at the Knesset.

2026 budget reading puts government at risk, after months of ideological sparring - analysis

If the vote is postponed, or if the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties choose not to support it and it falls, then for all intents and purposes the government will fall with it.

|ByHERB KEINON
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as lawmakers gather at the Knesset plenum to vote on a bill that would limit some Supreme Court power, in Jerusalem July 24, 2023.

Netanyahu convenes emergency meeting as haredi parties threaten to block state budget vote

Both haredi parties have threatened to withhold support for the state budget unless agreements are reached on the draft law to avoid conscription.

|ByKESHET NEEV

Goldknopf – UTJ will not support 2025 budget without haredi IDF draft bill

The legal blanket haredi exemption from IDF service ended in July 2023 after being ruled unequal and therefore unconstitutional.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2024ByELIAV BREUER
HOUSING MINISTER Yitzhak Goldknopf, United Torah Judaism’s leader, in the Knesset last month. He turned to his Jewish heritage and instincts regarding the plight of the hostages, notes the writer.

Otzma Yehudit joins UTJ in threat to boycott Knesset plenum this week

Lapid cancels diplomatic US trip to attend plenum

SEPTEMBER 8, 2024ByELIAV BREUER
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir at a conference called "Israel's Return to the Temple Mount," at the Knesset on July 24, 2024.

MK Yisrael Eichler says VP Kamala Harris poses 'global danger'

The United Torah Judaism MK said that global leaders such as Vladimir Putin and Ali Khameini are in tune with developments in the US presidential race.

JULY 28, 2024ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
UTJ MK Yisrael Eichler points at a fellow lawmaker in the Knesset plenum.

Otzma Yehudit and haredi parties negotiating to pass series of controversial measures

Wheeling and dealing abound as Knesset wraps up summer session.

JULY 22, 2024ByELIAV BREUER
Itamar Ben-Gvir gestures following the announcement of exit polls at his party headquarters in Jerusalem.

Right-wing voters already marking Ben-Gvir as Netanyahu's potential successor - poll

In a post-Netanyahu era, Itamar Ben-Gvir leads right-wing candidate support. The National Camp and Likud see minor seat changes. Survey includes 500 respondents.

JULY 12, 2024ByMOSHE COHEN
(L-R) Benjamin Netanyahu; Itamar Ben-Gvir

Controversy over what Deputy IDF chief Baram told defense committee about Haredi draft

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is hoping to postpone the issue to September, concerned that the Haredim could bring the government down over their funds being frozen.

JULY 8, 2024ByYONAH JEREMY BOB
Incoming IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Amir Baram gives remarks at his inauguration ceremony, October 31, 2022.

Approximately 20 private-haredi schools are planning to switch to the state-haredi education system

Several haredi groups tried to reach a compromise with the help of Yesh Atid MK Moshe Tur-Paz but were blocked by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Shas.

JUNE 29, 2024ByYUVAL BARNEA
HAREDI MEN learn at the Mir Yeshiva in Jerusalem’s Mea She’arim, Sept. 13, 2023.

'Holy Torah will prevail': Haredi lawmakers, ministers rage at Israel's High Court

Jerusalem Affairs and Jewish Tradition Minister Meir Porush said the ruling is "leading to two states" of religious and secular Jews.

JUNE 25, 2024ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
(L-R) Jerusalem and Jewish Tradition Minister Meir Porush; Shas leader Arye Deri

Haredi parties Shas and UTJ announce support for hostage deal

Both of the Knesset's haredi parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism, have expressed support for the hostage deal proposed by US President Joe Biden.

JUNE 4, 2024ByELIAV BREUER
MK ARYE DERI leads a parliamentary faction meeting of his Shas party, in the Knesset, last month.

Ben-Gvir threatens coalition after spat with haredi parties

The seemingly inconsequential spat between the two parties touched on simmering political tensions  on additional issues such as the haredi exemption from IDF service.

APRIL 15, 2024ByELIAV BREUER
Itamar Ben Gvir