Ultra-Orthodox Party May Abstain on Rival Government, Shifting Political Balance

Senior figures within the United Torah Judaism party believe that its chairman, MK Yitzhak Goldknopf, may abstain from voting on a minority government led by Gadi Eisenkot, a move that could significantly alter the political bloc balance. This potential abstention, if it occurs, would mark a departure from the close political alliance the ultra-Orthodox parties have maintained with Benjamin Netanyahu in recent years. Sources within the party suggest Goldknopf might not be the only member of the faction to consider such a step, although the stance of the Degel HaTorah faction remains uncertain. An abstention by United Torah Judaism would lower the threshold needed to form a government, placing greater pressure on Netanyahu to secure a significantly larger number of mandates than Eisenkot's bloc to prevent the rival coalition from forming.

Following the report, Goldknopf issued a statement clarifying his party's fundamental conditions for any future political partnership. He emphasized that United Torah Judaism will not support the establishment of any government, nor provide external assistance, without the status of yeshiva students being regulated and a conscription law being enacted without sanctions or quotas. This condition directly addresses the sensitive issue of military service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men.