Ultra-Orthodox Party Leaves Door Open to Supporting Gadi Eisenkot

United Torah Judaism (UTJ), an ultra-Orthodox political party, has issued a statement indicating it does not rule out supporting a government led by Gadi Eisenkot, head of the National Unity party. However, UTJ has stipulated that its support for any government, whether in formation or from the outside, is contingent upon the legal status of yeshiva students being regulated without conscription targets or sanctions.

The party's official announcement, released on Monday, avoided explicitly rejecting the possibility of backing Eisenkot's potential premiership. Instead, UTJ emphasized its primary condition: the passage of a conscription law that exempts yeshiva students and imposes no quotas or penalties. This phrasing suggests UTJ is not personally vetoing any specific candidate for prime minister but is focused on the conscription issue.

This stance is significant given Eisenkot's previous declarations that a universal conscription law is a prerequisite for him to form the next government. He has even stated he would prefer new elections over compromising on this issue.

Therefore, while UTJ has not definitively closed the door on supporting Eisenkot, a fundamental disagreement remains regarding military conscription. UTJ demands a law without targets or sanctions for yeshiva students, whereas Eisenkot insists on the principle of service for all as a condition for joining his government.