Ultra-Orthodox Party Withholds Endorsement for Netanyahu
Translated & summarized from Makor Rishon by baba
The ultra-Orthodox party United Torah Judaism, with seven Knesset seats, is considering not recommending any candidate for prime minister, including Benjamin Netanyahu, due to a trust deficit and internal disputes. An incident involving an AI-generated image shared by Netanyahu's advisor further strained relations. The party is also divided internally on potential future alliances. Their official position on forming the next government is expected to be clarified at the President's Residence on Thursday.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- United Torah Judaism, with seven seats, may not recommend Benjamin Netanyahu for prime minister.
- A trust deficit and internal disagreements are fueling the party's hesitation.
- An AI-generated image incident involving Netanyahu's advisor reportedly worsened relations with Yitzhak Goldknopf.
- The party is internally divided on potential future political cooperation.
- United Torah Judaism's official stance will be clarified at the President's Residence on Thursday.
The ultra-Orthodox party United Torah Judaism, holding seven Knesset seats, is reportedly leaning towards not recommending any candidate for prime minister, including incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu. This stance stems from a deep trust deficit with Netanyahu and internal disagreements regarding the party's political future. Netanyahu and his associates have been actively lobbying party leaders and rabbinical figures in an effort to secure their support.
A recent report by journalist Shalom Stein highlighted the extent of the mistrust, detailing an incident where Netanyahu's advisor, Topaz Luk, attempted to apologize to United Torah Judaism chairman Yitzhak Goldknopf for sharing an AI-generated image on X (formerly Twitter). The image depicted Goldknopf and other Haredi figures alongside Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman. Goldknopf, believing the call's purpose was to pressure him into recommending Netanyahu, reportedly ended the conversation.
Luk later deleted the post, claiming it was a mistake, and expressed his appreciation for the Haredi public. The incident adds to existing political tensions between Netanyahu and United Torah Judaism, primarily over the issue of yeshiva students' conscription status. Unlike Shas, which has pledged its recommendation to Netanyahu, United Torah Judaism is considering abstaining from recommending either Netanyahu or National Unity Party chairman Gadi Eisenkot.
This potential abstention would mean the party's seven mandates would not be added to any candidate's recommendation list at this stage. Internal divisions exist within United Torah Judaism, with Goldknopf not ruling out cooperation with Eisenkot, while MK Meir Porush has expressed reservations. Netanyahu has also reached out to other party members, including Porush and designated MK Eliyahu Stark, to gauge their positions ahead of consultations at the President's Residence.
While abstaining from recommending Netanyahu doesn't necessarily signal an intention to join an Eisenkot-led government, it provides United Torah Judaism with leverage in negotiations and underscores Netanyahu's difficulty in securing the backing of all his potential Haredi partners. Representatives from United Torah Judaism are expected at the President's Residence on Thursday to clarify their official stance on forming the next government.
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