United Torah Judaism Weighs Supporting Gadi Eisenkot for Prime Minister

Ultra-Orthodox party United Torah Judaism is reportedly weighing a potential political maneuver that could back Gadi Eisenkot for prime minister through a minority government supported from the outside, according to reports. Sources within the faction indicate that the long-standing alliance with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has run its course, prompting officials to explore alternative avenues for political influence amid a persistent parliamentary deadlock.

Under the proposed framework, United Torah Judaism would not officially join the coalition, but would abstain from key votes and refrain from bringing down the government. With this external backing, combined with potential support from Ra'am's eight Knesset members, the bloc supporting Eisenkot could reach 48 seats, compared to 46 for Netanyahu's bloc. Party insiders emphasize that without a clear 61-seat majority, the faction must secure its institutional interests and avoid being sidelined in opposition.

This shift aligns with signals previously sent by Lithuanian ultra-Orthodox leadership, including Rabbi Dov Lando, regarding the need to prioritize community interests over rigid block loyalty. Senior figures within United Torah Judaism note that absolute allegiance to Netanyahu is no longer a given, and the party remains open to pragmatic arrangements that could secure legislation regulating yeshiva student exemptions.

However, significant hurdles remain, chief among them the highly contentious issue of military conscription and budget allocations. While party officials believe behind-the-scenes negotiations could yield a compromise on the draft law, bridging the ideological gaps with Eisenkot and potential partners will be crucial to determining whether the minority government proposal moves forward.