Yahadut HaTorah — Israel news coverage in English

Israel Election Looms Amid Heated Debate Over Haredi Military Draft

Israel's upcoming October 27 elections are dominated by the contentious issue of drafting ultra-Orthodox haredi men into the military, a need amplified by the ongoing war. Despite…

Politics17h ago2

Latest Polls Show Eisenkot Bloc Leading Netanyahu, No Majority for Either Side

Recent Israeli election polls indicate a lead for Gadi Eisenkot's bloc over Binyamin Netanyahu's coalition, with no side projected to secure a governing majority of 61 seats. Poll…

World22h ago

Canadian-Israeli Benjamin Hassin Rebuilds Life in Jerusalem After Decade in Iraqi Prison

Benjamin Hassin, a Canadian-Israeli man, has returned to Israel after spending over 11 years in Iraqi prisons, including nearly five years under a death sentence. Arrested in 2015…

Politics23h ago

Haredi Party Chairman Files Police Complaint Over Alleged Incitement

Moti Leitner, chairman of the Haredi Public Party, filed a police complaint against Motke Bloy, a senior Degel HaTorah official, alleging incitement and threats. Bloy allegedly pu…

Politics1d ago

Top Rabbi Warns Against Reform Judaism's Influence in Israel

Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch warned against the growing influence of Reform Judaism in Israel, urging the ultra-Orthodox community to vote for United Torah Judaism. He stated that ab…

Politics1d ago

Internal Tensions Delay Ultra-Orthodox Election Guidance

The publication of an election guidance document from the Council of Torah Sages of Agudat Yisrael has been postponed to Sunday due to internal disputes. Several Rebbes objected t…

Politics1d ago

Top Rabbis Urge Followers to Obey Sages Ahead of Election

Six Haredi vocational high school rabbis issued a letter urging followers to vote according to the guidance of leading sages, not for any specific party. The letter, released days…

Politics1d ago

Porush Declares United Torah Judaism a 'Technical Bloc' to Appeal to Chabad

MK Meir Porush has surprisingly declared that United Torah Judaism is a "technical bloc," enabling him to act on the Lubavitcher Rebbe's directives. He signed a commitment to upho…

Politics1d ago

Israeli Poll Finds High Willingness to Help Political Opponents in Distress

A poll for Channel 7 found that 75% of Israelis are willing to help activists from parties they least identify with. This willingness increased to 94% when political affiliation w…

Politics1d ago

Agudath Israel's Election Call Delayed Amidst Drafting Dispute

Agudath Israel's pre-election 'Kol Koreh' was delayed due to a dispute over wording that deemed not voting for Yahadut HaTorah a desecration of God's name. Several Rebbes objected…

Politics1d ago

Ultra-Orthodox Election Call Delayed Amid Internal Disputes

Agudath Yisrael's election call was delayed until Sunday after several Rebbes requested changes to its wording, which originally stated that not voting for United Torah Judaism is…

Politics1d ago

New Ultra-Orthodox Parties Challenge Establishment in Israeli Elections

Two new ultra-Orthodox parties, HaTzibur HaCharedi and Tzeva Shachor, are challenging established parties Shas and Yahadut HaTorah in the upcoming Israeli elections. These new fac…

Politics1d ago

Ultra-Orthodox Parties Demand IDF Draft Law Fix Before Coalition Talks

Ultra-Orthodox parties, including Degel HaTorah, are demanding the IDF draft law be resolved as a prerequisite for joining any future government coalition. Attorney Efi Ben Gad em…

Politics1d ago

Haredi Parties Demand Concessions on Draft Law Post-Election

Haredi parties, represented by figures like Efi Ben Gad of Degel HaTorah, are demanding a resolution to the draft law for yeshiva students as a condition for forming any future go…

Politics1d ago2

Top Rabbi Slams Small Haredi Parties, Urges Vote for Yahadut HaTorah

Prominent Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi D. Lando strongly criticized smaller Haredi political parties, urging the Haredi public to vote solely for the Yahadut HaTorah party. He claimed these…

Politics1d ago2

New Poll Shows Bennett's Party Gaining Ahead of Elections

A new poll by Channel 14 shows Naftali Bennett's "Together" party gaining one seat to 11 mandates days before elections. The Netanyahu bloc holds 62 mandates, and the Likud party…

Politics1d ago

New Poll Shows Ofer Winter's Party Surpassing Threshold

A Channel 16 poll shows Ofer Winter's "Amcha Yisrael" party securing 4 mandates, potentially easing pressure from Prime Minister Netanyahu to withdraw from elections. Gadi Eisenko…

Politics1d ago

New Haredi Party Attacks Yahadut HaTorah Chairman Over Shabbat Interview

Moti Leitner's "HaTzibur HaCharedi" party has launched a strong attack against Yaakov Asher, chairman of Yahadut HaTorah, for agreeing to an interview on a program airing during S…

Security1d ago

Rabbi Orders Children to Shun Mother Who Left Ultra-Orthodox Life

A mother, D., is fighting for contact with her five children after Rabbi Dov Lando, a prominent ultra-Orthodox leader, allegedly instructed them to shun her for leaving the religi…

Culture1d ago

Rabbi Abraham Deri Celebrates Son's Bar Mitzvah

Rabbi Abraham Deri, Chief Rabbi of Be'er Sheva, celebrated his son's bar mitzvah with many prominent guests. Meanwhile, Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir addressed criticism from Haredi po…

Culture2d ago

Prominent Rabbi Visits Scientific Institute for Halachic Technology

The Rosh Yeshiva, a prominent Torah leader, visited the Scientific Institute for Halachic Technology to observe its work. He met with the institute's head, Rabbi Abraham Moshe Hal…

Politics2d ago

MK Slams Minister Silman Over Environmental Policy, Cites Public Health Neglect

Member of Knesset Yuray Lahav-Hertzanu criticized Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman for allegedly neglecting public health and environmental issues in favor of politic…

Politics2d ago

Strategic Voting: How to Form a Government Beyond Party Size

The article argues that Israeli government formation depends on Knesset majority recommendations, not just party size, citing the 2009 precedent where Benjamin Netanyahu formed a…

Politics2d ago

Israeli Parties Divided on Support for Freelancers and Worker Retraining

Israeli political parties are debating how to support employed workers seeking new skills and provide a social safety net for freelancers. Parties like Yesh Atid and Yisrael Beite…

Politics2d ago2·2 outlets

Top Lithuanian Rabbi Urges Haredi Businessmen to Vote for United Torah Judaism

Lithuanian leader Rabbi Dov Lando met with Haredi businessmen to urge them to vote for United Torah Judaism in upcoming elections. The meeting, organized by an unofficial party st…

Politics2d ago

United Torah Judaism Chairman Meets Ger Rabbi Amid Party Tensions

United Torah Judaism Chairman Yaakov Asher met with the Grand Rabbi of Ger to discuss internal party tensions and the conscription law. Asher revealed that past agreements on the…

Politics2d ago

Israel Faces Political Stalemate Ahead of Elections

Israeli political analysts predict a high probability of repeat elections due to the inability of any bloc to form a government, according to recent polls. Key leaders like Benjam…

Politics2d ago

Ultra-Orthodox Party Leader Responds to MK, Urges Support for New Faction

Yaakov Haim Miller, chairman of the new ultra-Orthodox party "Tzeva Shachor," responded to MK Yaakov Asher's criticism by urging him to apologize and support the new faction. Mill…

Culture2d ago

Top Rabbi Praises Technological Halachic Institute's Work

Rabbi Avraham Salim visited the Scientific Technological Institute for Halacha, praising its global work in applying science to Jewish law. He met with institute head Rabbi Avraha…

Politics2d ago

Israeli Election Polls Show Divergent Forecasts for Netanyahu's Bloc

Two Israeli election polls released Wednesday show conflicting results for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc ahead of the upcoming Knesset elections. One poll by Channel 13…

Politics2d ago

Ultra-Orthodox Charity Fund's Lavish Global Tours Contrast With Israeli Poverty Claims

The Olam HaTorah Fund, established by Haredi leaders, is raising millions globally to replace Israeli government funding for yeshivas, citing severe poverty among scholars. Howeve…

Security2d ago

Unprecedented Arrest of Yeshiva Student in Jerusalem

Military police conducted an unprecedented arrest of a yeshiva student at his Jerusalem home on Wednesday, luring him out with a false delivery notification. This incident is part…

Politics2d ago2

Top Rabbis Rally Support for Yahadut HaTorah in Southern Israel

Leading rabbis, including the Rosh Yeshiva and Moshe Hillel Hirsch, addressed thousands at election rallies in Ashdod and Netivot, urging support for the Yahadut HaTorah party. Sp…

Politics2d ago

Ultra-Orthodox Draft Bill Seeks Broad Exemption; Netanyahu Pushes for Key Committee Chair

Ultra-Orthodox parties are developing a draft law for a broad military service exemption, with a close associate of Rabbi Hirsch presenting a proposal. Prime Minister Netanyahu is…

Politics2d ago2

Haredi Public Party Chairman Moti Leitner Declines PM's Offer to Withdraw

Moti Leitner, chairman of the Haredi Public party, will not withdraw from the elections despite an offer from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Leitner cited the established Hare…

Politics2d ago2

Ultra-Orthodox Rabbis Rally in Petah Tikva for Torah Judaism Party

Ultra-Orthodox rabbis gathered in Petah Tikva for a Torah Judaism party election rally, emphasizing the critical nature of the upcoming elections for the community's survival and…

Politics3d ago

New Haredi Party Urged to Withdraw to Avoid Splitting Votes

A new Haredi party, "Chareidi Public," formed to represent working Haredim, is urged to withdraw from the upcoming elections. Despite initial success in shifting the public discou…

Politics3d ago

Yisrael Beiteinu Headquarters Receives Vile, Racist Threats

The Yisrael Beiteinu party headquarters has reported receiving numerous hateful, racist, and threatening calls, which they attribute to draft dodgers. These messages, including de…

Politics3d ago

Gafni Slams Netanyahu Over Approved Associations List

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the advancement of an associations list for tax benefits, despite Haredi parties' claims of discriminatory exclusion of their inst…

Politics3d ago

Gafni Slams Netanyahu Over Tax Benefits for Yeshivas

Member of Knesset Moshe Gafni strongly criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for excluding yeshivas from a list of organizations eligible for tax benefits. Gafni stated tha…

Politics3d ago

MK Yitzhak Pindrus Defends United Torah Judaism's Platform

Member of Knesset Yitzhak Pindrus defended the United Torah Judaism party's platform against voter concerns about the draft law and housing. Pindrus emphasized the party's commitm…

Politics3d ago

MK Pindrus Faces Tough Questions on United Torah Judaism's Record

MK Yitzhak Pindrus of Degel HaTorah faced tough questions from Haredi voters about United Torah Judaism's performance and future plans during a meeting in Jerusalem. Attendees que…

Politics3d ago

Small Parties Risk Wasting Votes, Potentially Deciding Knesset Election Outcome

Numerous small parties, particularly on the right, risk failing to cross Israel's electoral threshold in the upcoming Knesset elections, potentially wasting up to eight seats. Par…

Politics3d ago

Haredi Parties Face Internal Divisions Ahead of Elections Amidst Silent Leadership

The United Torah Judaism party is entering the upcoming Knesset elections without clear directives from its spiritual leaders, reflecting internal divisions within the Haredi, Has…

Politics3d ago2·2 outlets

Top Rabbi Warns Against New Parties Threatening Haredi Bloc

Rabbi Landau, a leader of the Lithuanian ultra-Orthodox community, warned at an election rally in Ashdod against new parties threatening the Haredi political bloc. He stressed the…

Politics3d ago2

New Poll Shows Gadi Eisenkot's Party Ahead of Netanyahu's Likud

A new poll by Israel's Channel 16 shows Gadi Eisenkot's "Yashar!" party leading Benjamin Netanyahu's "Likud" party with 21 seats to 18, one week before the Knesset elections. The…

Politics3d ago

Israeli Election Focuses on Voter Turnout in Key Cities

As Israel's election nears, parties are focusing on voter turnout in key cities, with the "bloc of change" aiming to boost participation to surpass the electoral threshold. Prime…

Politics3d ago2

Top Rabbi Dov Lando Addresses New Ultra-Orthodox Parties

Rabbi Dov Lando, a spiritual leader of the Lithuanian Haredi community, has publicly endorsed the "Yahadut HaTorah" party and cautioned against supporting new ultra-Orthodox polit…