United Torah Judaism

Knesset advances bill granting Chief Rabbinate authority over Western Wall prayer

The bill passed by a margin of 56-47 and will now be discussed in Knesset committee meetings. It will still need to undergo three more plenum readings to become a law. 

A Jewish woman prays at the Little Western Wall in Jerusalem’s Old City, February 18, 2026
THE RABBINICAL Court’s Division for Agunot in Jerusalem.

Knesset panel advances bill to expand rabbinical courts’ power over civil matters

 HAREDI YESHIVA students

High Court: Israeli gov't must explain why it funds haredi schools without core studies

Opposition leader Yair Lapid speaks at a press conference in the Knesset, February 16th, 2026.

Lapid warns opposition could lose to Netanyahu without unity, says Yesh Atid is ‘key’ to victory


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.

Shas spiritual council to rule on leaving Netanyahu gov't on Wednesday

The ultra-Orthodox party's council said that Wednesday's meeting comes in the wake of "severe and unacceptable harm to the status of Torah students.”

Shas faction leader MK Arye Deri seen outside the party offices in Jerusalem, June 4, 2025

Rabbis and Netanyahu’s draft‑exemption monster rips at Israel’s coalition - comment

After years of delay tactics and political bartering, the ultra‑Orthodox draft crisis has burst its cage, threatening to topple the government amid war.

 View of a United Torah Judaism party meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on June 9, 2025.

Netanyahu is in a tight spot after UTJ exits the gov't - what happens next? - explainer

The move by the six United Torah Judaism (UTJ) party members leaves Netanyahu's nationalist-religious government extremely vulnerable, with just a one-seat majority in the Knesset.

 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives to his office at the Knesset, Israel's parliament in Jerusalem on July 14, 2025.

Odeh impeachment fails as haredi party, opposition MKs abstain

The upcoming vote to impeach MK Ayman Odeh is unlikely to receive a majority vote after the haredi United Torah Judaism party announced its intention to abstain.

 Hadash-Ta'al leader Ayman Odeh attends a protest in his support, outside the Knesset in Jerusalem, June 30, 2025.