Ultra-Orthodox Party May Abstain on Rival Government Formation

Senior figures within the Agudat Yisrael party, representing the Gur Hasidic sect, are signaling that their Knesset member Yitzhak Goldknopf will not vote against the formation of a government led by Benny Gantz. Sources within the party suggest that Goldknopf and fellow Gur representative Yaakov Tessler intend to abstain from voting on a minority government, even if it lacks a 61-seat majority. This move is reportedly driven by the Gur Hasidic leadership's desire to distance themselves from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom they believe has reached the end of his political career. They are also reportedly seeking political concessions in return for their potential abstention.

Agudat Yisrael sources further estimate that other representatives within the United Torah Judaism party, including the Lithuanian faction Degel HaTorah, may also abstain. This assessment stems from significant anger directed at Netanyahu within the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) political sphere. However, the article notes that the commitment of these other factions to abstain is not yet certain, and their actions remain unconfirmed.

The potential abstention by key Haredi parties could significantly alter the political calculus for forming a government. Previously, a deadlock in Knesset seat allocation between the blocs might have been sufficient to prevent Gantz from forming a government. Now, according to the Agudat Yisrael sources, Netanyahu would need to secure a two-seat majority over Gantz's bloc to ensure his continued premiership, as a simple tie would no longer guarantee his position.