Ultra-Orthodox Anger Threatens Netanyahu Bloc Amid Shifting Alliances
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Some ultra-Orthodox protesters are threatening to vote for Arab parties due to anger over yeshiva student arrests, signaling potential shifts in Haredi politics. United Torah Judaism, under new leadership, is considering operating independently and may sit outside a future coalition. Historically, Haredi and Arab parties have cooperated on shared conservative interests, a dynamic exemplified by the "Gafni-Tibi axis." The ultimate political decisions for UTJ are expected to be made by rabbinical authorities.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Ultra-Orthodox protesters express willingness to vote for Arab parties amid anger over yeshiva student arrests.
- United Torah Judaism may operate as an independent bloc and consider sitting outside a future coalition.
- Moshe Gafni and Ahmed Tibi previously formed a pragmatic alliance on shared conservative interests.
- The "Muezzin Law" debate highlighted cooperation between Haredi and Arab parties.
- The final political decisions for UTJ are expected to be made by rabbinical leadership.
- The political landscape may be significantly shaped by October 27th if no bloc achieves a majority.
Discontent within the ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) community is creating political turbulence, with some protesters expressing a willingness to vote for Arab parties rather than remain aligned with the current bloc. This sentiment, though attributed to fringe elements by some, signals a potential shift in the Haredi political landscape. The protests are primarily driven by the arrests of yeshiva students, but the underlying frustration is reportedly seeping into more established Haredi circles, impacting key factions like Gur and Belz.
This internal unrest is mirrored by strategic realignments within the United Torah Judaism (UTJ) party. Following Rabbi Dov Lando's decision to remove Moshe Gafni and Uri Maklev from the party's list, Yaakov Asher has taken over as chairman. Asher has declared UTJ will operate as an independent bloc, demanding other parties join them, and has stated the party will not join any government without a resolution regarding the status of Torah scholars. MK Yitzhak Pindrus has further indicated that UTJ is not automatically committed to the Netanyahu bloc and is considering its options, even potentially remaining outside a future coalition and offering external support.
Historically, Haredi and Arab parties have found common ground on issues of religious conservatism, opposition to liberal legislation, and support for large families and social welfare. This cooperation was notably evident in the Knesset Finance Committee, where Moshe Gafni and Ahmed Tibi formed a close working relationship. Gafni has explained this pragmatic alliance as beneficial for both communities, citing instances where Arab MKs supported Haredi interests and vice versa, such as during the controversial "Muezzin Law" debate.
The article also references past political precedents, including Shas's participation in Yitzhak Rabin's government in 1992, where they eventually left the coalition but continued to offer issue-specific support, relying on a bloc of left-wing parties. Looking ahead, Ra'am chairman Mansour Abbas has proposed a "Change Government 2" model, involving some Arab parties in a coalition and others providing external support. The departure of Gafni, a key facilitator of Haredi-Arab cooperation, raises questions about the future of these alliances, though the underlying shared interests remain. Ultimately, the decision on UTJ's political alignment will likely rest with rabbinical leadership, particularly if no bloc secures a clear majority by October 27th.
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