Ultra-Orthodox Party Splits Over Netanyahu Endorsement, Refuses to Recommend Candidate

By עמית סגל

Translated & summarized from N12 by baba

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Hebrew · 2 newsrooms covering

The ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party will not recommend any candidate for prime minister, reversing an earlier instruction to endorse Benjamin Netanyahu. This decision, influenced by a conversation with Rabbi Dov Lando, led to the party's abstention at the President's Residence. Internal divisions are evident, with MK Meir Porush reportedly protesting the decision by his absence. The party's primary focus is securing the status of Torah scholars, and they are considering external support for a potential Gadi Eisenkot government.

The story in 6 lines · by baba

United Torah Judaism will not recommend Benjamin Netanyahu or Gadi Eisenkot for prime minister.
An earlier instruction for MKs Meir Porush and Eli Stork to endorse Netanyahu was reversed.
Rabbi Dov Lando's conversation with party Rebbes led to the change in recommendation.
MK Meir Porush was absent from consultations at the President's Residence in protest.
The party's main concern is the status of Torah scholars and conscription laws.
Avigdor Lieberman's stance on minority governments adds complexity to coalition talks.

The ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party has decided not to recommend any candidate for prime minister, a move stemming from internal disagreements and a significant shift in guidance from senior rabbis. Initially, Members of Knesset Meir Porush and Eli Stork, representing the Chomet Torah Yisrael faction within the party, were instructed by their Rebbes to endorse Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, a conversation between Rabbi Dov Lando and the Rebbes on Wednesday led to a reversal of this decision, with the instruction to endorse Netanyahu being rescinded.

This internal turmoil explains the party's stance at the President's Residence on Thursday. Representatives informed President Yitzhak Herzog that the party would not recommend Netanyahu, nor would they recommend Gadi Eisenkot. Notably, Meir Porush was absent from these consultations, reportedly as a protest. The "change bloc" seeking to form a government views Porush as a key obstacle to securing United Torah Judaism's support for a government led by Eisenkot.

Sources within United Torah Judaism indicate that the alliance with Netanyahu is no longer a given, with some advocating for a reevaluation of their long-standing partnership with Likud, especially given Netanyahu's inability to form a majority government. The party's primary concern appears to be the status of Torah scholars and the potential for a conscription law that would affect them. They are reportedly exploring options such as providing external support to an Eisenkot-led government in exchange for understandings on the conscription law and budgets for the ultra-Orthodox community.

Porush's absence and his more reserved stance on cooperating with the change bloc, contrasted with other party members who have signaled openness to negotiations with Eisenkot, highlight the internal divisions. The party's decision not to recommend a candidate signifies a desire to remain a decisive factor in the Knesset, potentially avoiding being sidelined in an "opposition desert" if a unity government is formed without them.

Adding another layer of complexity, Avigdor Lieberman, leader of Yisrael Beiteinu, has expressed openness to cooperation with United Torah Judaism if certain principles, including the conscription exemption law, are accepted. However, Lieberman opposes minority governments, which complicates efforts to form a new government, especially given the internal disagreements within United Torah Judaism itself regarding a potential break from Netanyahu's bloc.