Yaakov Asher Emerges as New Face of Ultra-Orthodox Judaism

Yaakov Asher, born in Ramat Gan on July 2, 1965, has risen to prominence within the ultra-Orthodox Ashkenazi community. After receiving his education in several yeshivas and completing a brief military service, Asher transitioned to local politics. He became a member of Degel HaTorah, a party representing the Lithuanian religious stream, and steadily advanced within the Bnei Brak municipality, eventually becoming its mayor in 2008. Elected to the Knesset in 2013 as part of the United Torah Judaism (UTJ) alliance, Asher established himself as an experienced parliamentarian, chairing the Constitution and Interior committees and advocating for his community's interests in housing, education, and religious institution funding.

In September 2026, Asher succeeded Moshe Gafni as the head of Degel HaTorah, a significant generational shift. He also took the lead of the UTJ's electoral list. Despite this change in leadership, Asher remains guided by the directives of senior ultra-Orthodox rabbinical authorities, indicating no ideological break from his predecessors. His primary political focus is securing exemptions from military service for yeshiva students, a stance that has intensified amid the ongoing war in Gaza and calls for equitable duty distribution.

Asher insists that Torah study is a fundamental pillar of Jewish society, while critics argue that such exemptions are increasingly indefensible during wartime. This issue has created friction with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who previously enjoyed strong support from ultra-Orthodox parties. In July 2025, Degel HaTorah's Knesset members left the governing coalition, citing unfulfilled government commitments regarding conscription. As the October 27, 2026, elections approach, Asher has adopted a firmer position, stating his party will not join any government without legislative guarantees on military service. Notably, he has also signaled a potential willingness to ally with Gadi Eisenkot, suggesting that loyalty to Netanyahu is no longer absolute.

Economically and socially, Asher champions family allowances, subsidies for religious schools, and the preservation of a Jewish character in public spaces. Unlike figures on the nationalist right, territorial and military concerns are secondary in his political discourse.