New Ultra-Orthodox Parties Challenge Established Factions Ahead of 2026 Elections

Two prominent ultra-Orthodox parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism, are reportedly facing internal crises as new religious parties emerge, aiming to challenge their established positions ahead of the 2026 elections. This internal political maneuvering comes amidst broader political developments, including a presentation of the "Beh-Yachad" list by Benny Gantz, which notably features three women in its top five positions.

Separately, internal assessments within security circles suggest a dire situation regarding water resources, warning of a prolonged crisis. Despite National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's announcement to postpone appointments, police are reportedly planning to proceed with certain procedures just before the elections. The article also touches on the significance of losing a political partner, emphasizing that such a loss should not be underestimated.

Additional unrelated items in the article include a piece on choosing coffee, the UN adopting a new world map that more accurately represents Africa's size, a commentary on the negative impacts of media exposure, a personal reflection on self-homophobia in Holon, an anecdote about a script sent to actor Assi Cohen, a literary review of a Hebrew novel, a travel piece about staying in Israel during August, and a personal account of encountering individuals near a border fence who were allegedly planning an attack.