Longstanding Netanyahu-Haredi Alliance Faces Strain Over Yeshiva Draft Issue Ahead of Israeli Elections

For decades, the alliance between Benjamin Netanyahu, the right-wing camp, and the Haredi parties has been one of the most stable and powerful in Israeli politics. This partnership, historically rooted in the 1990 speech by Rabbi Shach and dubbed the "natural alliance," has withstood numerous political crises. However, the growing tensions surrounding the draft of yeshiva students and their status now put this strategic bond to an unprecedented test ahead of the upcoming elections.

The cracks in this political alliance are evident in statements from key figures within the Haredi community. Moti Babchik, a leading figure in Agudat Yisrael and close to the Gur Hasidic Rebbe, revealed that his own son is a draft evader, highlighting the community’s growing disillusionment. Babchik stated that automatic loyalty to Netanyahu and the right-wing bloc no longer exists from the Haredi perspective, emphasizing that after years of steadfast support since 2008, the community expects Netanyahu to fulfill his promises or face consequences.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s office has leaked strong messages aimed at draft evaders, warning "army or prison," reflecting a hardline stance. While some of this rhetoric may be election-driven, it underscores the tension between the parties. The alliance’s origins date back to 1952, when Haredi parties left the Mapai government over female conscription, and solidified in 1977 when Menachem Begin included Agudat Yisrael in his government, granting broad exemptions from military service for full-time Torah students.

The alliance was further cemented by Rabbi Shach’s 1990 speech, which ended Haredi cooperation with left-center parties. Despite occasional political challenges, such as Aryeh Deri’s 2014 support for opposition leader Isaac Herzog, the partnership endured. Today, however, Babchik acknowledges that while the Haredi public remains right-wing ideologically, the draft issue forces them to prioritize securing Torah study exemptions above all else, even if it means losing political allies.

Babchik insists there are no current commitments to any political side, only a commitment to protect the Haredi community’s interests. He indicated that a final decision on political alignment will be made after the elections on October 27. This evolving dynamic raises questions about the future of a decades-old political alliance that has shaped Israeli governance for generations.