Full coverage· Politics· Updated 18:56

Netanyahu Strikes Deal With Accused Rabbi, Party Quits Knesset Race

The Achi party, led by Yuval Elimelech and associated with Rabbi Chaim Yosef David Abirjel, announced its withdrawal from the Knesset elections on Friday, October 23, 2026, just four days before the vote. The decision followed intense pressure and negotiations led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Education Minister Yoav Kisch. The move aims to consolidate the right-wing bloc and prevent the loss of tens of thousands of votes, as polls indicated the party would not pass the electoral threshold.

11 newsrooms · 3 languages · since 15:11

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Netanyahu Strikes Deal With Accused Rabbi, Party Quits Knesset Race — Illustration by baba

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What happened

01The Achi party withdrew from the Knesset elections on Friday, October 23, 2026, to prevent splitting the right-wing vote.
02Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Education Minister Yoav Kisch led the negotiations that resulted in the party's withdrawal.
03The Achi party endorsed the Likud party and urged its supporters to vote for Likud in the upcoming election.
04Likud agreed to advance Achi's key policy issues, including the conscription law, social welfare programs, and Jewish education.
05Netanyahu reportedly promised Rabbi Chaim Yosef David Abirjel a Deputy Minister position in the Prime Minister's Office.
06The appointment requires a legislative change to allow non-Knesset members to serve as deputy ministers, which Netanyahu pledged to advance.
07Rabbi Abirjel, who backs the Achi party, was arrested in August 2025 on suspicion of sexual offenses, which he denies.

Under the withdrawal agreement, the Achi party endorsed the Likud party and instructed its supporters to vote for it. In return, the Likud committed to advancing several of Achi's key policy issues. These include the conscription law regarding ultra-Orthodox enlistment, support for disadvantaged populations, childcare, elder care, and strengthening Jewish education and identity.

Additionally, Netanyahu reportedly promised Rabbi Abirjel, who was arrested in August 2025 on suspicion of sexual offenses, a Deputy Minister position in the Prime Minister's Office. Because current law requires deputy ministers to be Knesset members, Netanyahu pledged to advance legislation allowing external appointments. If this legislation fails, Achi will have the option to select a Likud Knesset member to serve in the role to advance their agenda.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 9 newsrooms. Updated 17:57

Latest report: Haaretz. Read Haaretz’s original

Who reports what

“The Prime Minister's office committed to advancing several issues, including the draft law, aid for disadvantaged populations, early childhood care, support for seniors, and strengthening Jewish identity and education.”

per implied by the agreement and Achi's withdrawal

2 of 11 newsrooms · not Haaretz, Hamal, Channel 13, N12

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised Rabbi Abirgel the position of Deputy Minister in exchange for his party's withdrawal from the election race.”

per the article