United Torah Judaism Reverses Decision to Recommend Netanyahu

United Torah Judaism (UTJ) has decided not to recommend any candidate for prime minister, a reversal from an earlier directive to endorse Benjamin Netanyahu. This shift followed a conversation between Rabbi Dov Lando and the party's Rebbes. Initially, MKs Meir Porush and Eli Stark, representing the "Chomesh Torah Yisrael" faction within UTJ, were instructed to recommend Netanyahu to President Yitzhak Herzog.

However, Rabbi Lando's intervention led the Rebbes to withdraw that recommendation. Consequently, UTJ representatives informed President Herzog that the party would not recommend Netanyahu, nor would they recommend Gadi Eisenkot. MK Porush notably abstained from the meetings at the President's residence in protest.

The "Change Bloc" is closely monitoring internal disputes within the ultra-Orthodox party, identifying Porush as a key figure whose stance could be crucial for forming a new government led by Eisenkot. The party's decision not to automatically back Netanyahu reflects a broader internal debate about its long-standing alliance with Likud, especially given Netanyahu's inability to form a majority government.

Sources within UTJ have indicated that the alliance with Netanyahu is no longer a given, with some expressing concern about being left out of a potential unity government. The party's primary concern remains the status of Torah scholars and their exemption from military service. They are reportedly open to supporting a government led by Eisenkot, potentially from the outside, in exchange for understandings on this issue and budgetary allocations for the ultra-Orthodox sector.

President Herzog reportedly inquired if UTJ would consider a revised conscription plan, acknowledging the war's impact and the need to consider IDF soldiers. MK Yitzhak Pindrus stated that the party expects any future government to address the "persecution of Torah learners," and that the status of yeshiva students would be the deciding factor in their support. The potential for cooperation with the Change Bloc is also complicated by Avigdor Lieberman's stance, who has previously opposed the ultra-Orthodox conscription exemption demands but recently indicated openness to cooperation if core principles, including the exemption law, are accepted. Lieberman, however, opposes minority governments.