United Torah Judaism Proposes Coordinated Public Debate With Likud Ahead of Elections

Ahead of the upcoming elections, United Torah Judaism (UTJ) has proposed a coordinated public debate with the Likud party to counteract declining support among ultra-Orthodox voters. This strategy aims to address voter dissatisfaction stemming from economic sanctions perceived as failures by their representatives to protect community rights. The proposal was made several weeks ago by a senior UTJ official to a Likud counterpart, seeking a planned confrontation that benefits both sides.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has recently emphasized a tougher stance on ultra-Orthodox enlistment, stating in a closed discussion that those not studying Torah will either serve in the military or face imprisonment. Despite this rhetoric, significant financial transfers to ultra-Orthodox sectors are underway. The Knesset Finance Committee is set to convene during the summer recess to approve hundreds of millions of shekels in coalition funds for the ultra-Orthodox community and settlements.

The budget includes 69 million shekels for recognized but unofficial ultra-Orthodox education, 54 million for ultra-Orthodox kindergartens, 26 million to prevent dropout from yeshivas, 13 million for ultra-Orthodox Jewish culture, and 16 million for after-school programs in exempt institutions. Netanyahu has begun politically distancing himself from ultra-Orthodox parties by condemning Rabbi Dov Lando’s remarks against religious Zionist soldiers. The original plan appears to be passing this substantial funding package before the elections to divert public attention and politically differentiate Likud from its coalition partners.