United Torah Judaism

Haredi draft bill back on agenda ahead of Knesset dissolution vote

Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel told the 'Post' that Netanyahu’s coalition has exerted “massive pressure” on coalition lawmakers to vote in favor of the contentious draft bill.

|ByKESHET NEEV
MK Boaz Bismuth seen with Haredi MK's during a plenum session at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, January 14, 2026.
Ultra-Orthodox Jews clash with police outside the IDF Recruitment Center at Tel Hashomer, central Israel, April 28, 2025

Haredi conscription debate threatens long-standing Israeli coalitions - opinion

Ultra-Orthodox parties face mounting political backlash as Israel’s war strains the reserve system and coalition stability.

|ByORI WERTMAN
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a ceremony commemorating Israel’s Remembrance Day for fallen soldiers, or Yom HaZikaron, at the Military Cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem April 21, 2026.

Haredi parties may push elections as Netanyahu loses leverage - analysis

The political alliance that was once considered Netanyahu’s most stable anchor, his exclusive political asset, can no longer be taken for granted.

|ByANNA BARSKY
Finance Committee chair MK Hanoch Milwidsky leads a Finance committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, during the war with Iran and Hezbollah, March 15, 2026.

Knesset Finance panel debates transfer of NIS 98 million to haredi schools

The High Court ordered last month that the Finance Committee reconvene and hold a fresh deliberation on the matter before voting to approve the transfer of the funds.

|ByKESHET NEEV

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

Likud regains some ground, Gantz maintains lead in new poll

On opposite sides of the political spectrum, both Religious Zionism and the Labor Party have slipped beneath the minimum threshold to enter the Knesset. 

APRIL 12, 2024ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Cabinet minister Benny Gantz during a press conference in the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv , Israel , 28 October 2023.

Will Israel's government collapse due to the IDF haredi draft crisis? - analysis

With Netanyahu famous for pushing off decisions, expect Israel to try to reach an agreement with the bare minimum of haredi commitment.

APRIL 1, 2024ByELIAV BREUER
Housing Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf, leader of United Torah Judaism, arrives for a cabinet meeting together with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel could permit sale of wine in Israel after 11 p.m. on Thursdays

The new legislation will ease Shabbat and holiday preparations for consumers, particularly those who are busy working and studying.

FEBRUARY 4, 2024ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
THE KNESSET Finance Committee’s incoming chairman, United Torah Judaism’s Moshe Gafni, presents an anti-economic bill that challenges the capitalist zeal of incoming finance minister Bezalel Smotrich.

Israel's Labor largely unaffected after Michaeli's resignation, election poll shows

While the votes for Labor almost doubled since last week, they would still not get enough to cross the threshold.

DECEMBER 15, 2023ByARIELLA MARSDEN
Labor party leader MK Merav Michaeli holds a press conference in Tel Aviv, December 7, 2023.

Israel is fighting a holy war on Judaism, ultra-Orthodox leader claims

MK Moshe Gafni launches a scathing attack on Israeli economists: 'Their war is not socio-economic or security-related, it's a war on religion.'

OCTOBER 1, 2023ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Head of the Finance committee MK Moshe Gafni leads a Finance committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on January 17, 2023.