Ultra-Orthodox Party Reverses Decision, Will Not Recommend Netanyahu for PM
Translated & summarized from Kipa by baba
The United Torah Judaism party reversed its decision and will not recommend Benjamin Netanyahu for prime minister, following rabbinical guidance. Initially instructed to back Netanyahu, MKs received a new directive after Rabbi Dov Lando spoke with religious leaders. The party is now considering external support for a potential Gadi Eisenkot government, prioritizing issues like yeshiva students' status. Internal divisions exist within the party regarding reliance on Netanyahu and potential coalition partnerships.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- United Torah Judaism will not recommend Benjamin Netanyahu for prime minister after rabbinical guidance changed.
- MK Meir Porush boycotted consultations and opposes cooperation with Gadi Eisenkot.
- The party is considering supporting Gadi Eisenkot's government from the outside.
- Key issues for United Torah Judaism include the status of yeshiva students and Haredi budgets.
- Avigdor Lieberman's conditional openness to cooperation surprised the party.
The United Torah Judaism party has decided not to recommend any candidate for president, including incumbent Isaac Herzog, following a shift in rabbinical leadership's stance. Initially, Members of Knesset Meir Porush and Elyakim Stern received instructions from their Rebbes to recommend Benjamin Netanyahu for prime minister. However, a phone call on Wednesday between Rabbi Dov Lando and the Rebbes altered this directive, leading to the reversal.
MK Yitzhak Goldknopf explained the party's decision to not recommend anyone for prime minister, stating, "We received instructions from the rabbis not to recommend anyone for prime minister." This leaves the party without a recommendation for Netanyahu, but also without support for Gadi Eisenkot. MK Porush, illustrating internal party divisions, boycotted the consultation at the President's Residence and previously expressed opposition to cooperating with Eisenkot.
Sources in the "change bloc" believe Porush's stance could hinder United Torah Judaism's potential inclusion in a future government led by Eisenkot, despite some within the party being open to dialogue. Some party members are also seeking to reduce political dependence on Netanyahu, with one source stating, "We will get nothing from Netanyahu. Our alliance with him is exhausted, especially since he doesn't have 61 seats. Our interest is to become a decisive factor in the Knesset again."
However, the prospect of parting ways with Netanyahu's bloc raises concerns about being left out of a coalition, potentially leading to an "opposition desert." Netanyahu has not spoken with senior United Torah Judaism officials since the election, except for a brief message. In contrast, Shas has already announced its recommendation for Netanyahu, though no coordination talks have occurred between the two Haredi parties.
United Torah Judaism is considering supporting an Eisenkot-led government from the outside, contingent on agreements regarding yeshiva students' status and budgets for the Haredi public. MK Yitzhak Pindrus raised concerns about the "persecution of Torah learners," and Goldknopf emphasized that a resolution on the status of yeshiva students would secure their support. Avigdor Lieberman's recent statements, not ruling out cooperation under certain conditions including the draft exemption law, have also surprised the party, though he reiterated his opposition to a minority government.
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