BREAKING WITH BIBI? United Torah Judaism Weighs Endorsing Eisenkot for Prime Minister as Likud Fires Back
United Torah Judaism is considering the extraordinary possibility of recommending Gadi Eisenkot to form Israel’s next government, a move that could represent a dramatic break with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and potentially reshape the country’s political alliances following last week’s elections.
According to a report Sunday evening by Emess, the possibility of formally endorsing Eisenkot was raised during a meeting of senior United Torah Judaism lawmakers, although no decision was reached. For now, the party is reportedly leaning toward declining to recommend any candidate when President Isaac Herzog begins consultations with the Knesset factions on Wednesday, November 4.
The discussions mark a significant development for a party that has spent years aligned with Netanyahu and the right-wing bloc. With Netanyahu unable to secure a clear parliamentary majority, United Torah Judaism is examining whether alternative political arrangements could better serve the interests of the chareidi community, particularly regarding military conscription and the status of yeshiva students.
The meeting brought together United Torah Judaism chairman MK Yaakov Asher, Agudas Yisroel chairman MK Yitzchok Goldknopf and MK Meir Porush. The three reviewed the election results and discussed the options available to their party as negotiations begin over the formation of Israel’s next government.
Among the scenarios considered was an active recommendation that Herzog assign Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar party, the task of forming a coalition.
However, the participants reportedly expressed concern that such a move could ultimately fail to produce a viable government and lead to another round of elections. They also discussed the possibility of a backlash among chareidi voters, many of whom identify politically with Israel’s right-wing camp and would strongly oppose an alliance with parties traditionally associated with the left.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the lawmakers agreed that each would consult his respective rabbinic leadership before any final decision is made.
The three are expected to reconvene toward the end of the week, after receiving instructions from the gedolei Torah and admorim who guide the party’s political decisions.
The discussions follow reports that Rav Dov Landau instructed Degel HaTorah representatives to explore possible negotiations with the opposition bloc, emphasizing that the party’s primary responsibility is to protect the interests of the Torah world rather than remain permanently attached to a particular political alliance.
Goldknopf also made clear Sunday that United Torah Judaism is not automatically committed to Netanyahu or any other candidate.
“We are not in anyone’s bloc; we demand a draft law without sanctions or quotas. That is the demand of the rabbonim, and we will not compromise on it. That is the condition for any negotiations with any bloc,” Goldknopf told Kikar HaShabbat, in remarks translated from Hebrew.
The possibility of cooperation with Eisenkot has generated considerable controversy because of the opposition bloc’s longstanding support for expanding military conscription among the chareidi population.
For United Torah Judaism, securing legislation that would protect yeshiva students from military service has become the central condition for participating in any future coalition.
The party’s willingness to consider other political partners reflects growing frustration over the failure to resolve the draft issue during Netanyahu’s tenure, despite years of cooperation between the prime minister and the chareidi factions.
Likud responded Sunday night with a sharply worded statement attacking Eisenkot and his political allies, accusing them of abandoning their previous commitments in their pursuit of power.
“Eisenkot and his partners are trampling on the trust of Israeli citizens. They are violating all their promises regarding cooperation with parties that support terrorism, and are working to establish a government with them,” Likud declared, in a statement translated from Hebrew.
The party went on to accuse Eisenkot’s bloc of reversing its position on chareidi military conscription after years of harsh criticism directed at the chareidi community.
