United Torah Judaism

Torah study and Israeli military service are both sacred, but not the same - opinion

Public backlash over proposed legislation reflects a broader struggle over how Israel defines service, sacrifice and equality.

|ByMICHAEL FREUND
Haredim block a road and clash with police to protest the jailing of seminary students who fail to comply with IDF recruitment orders, June 1.
A LIKUD supporter waves the party’s flag at a gathering, a show of grassroots loyalty which has long defined the movement, even as critics say its primaries have reshaped, and at times distorted, who rises within its ranks.

Likud, Netanyahu dropping in public eyes amid Iran war, contentious legislation - poll

This is Likud’s lowest figure since August 2025, when it received 21 seats in a Maariv poll. However, the coalition bloc maintained its strength from last week at 50 seats.

|ByMOSHE COHEN
PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu is seen walking past haredi lawmaker Yitzhak Goldknopf, at the Prime Minister’s Office in 2023.

Goldknopf protests 'exclusion' of haredi West Bank communities from budget in letter to Netanyahu

"How is it possible that the budgets, development, and benefits that reach the other communities never reach the ultra-Orthodox population centers in Judea and Samaria?" Goldknopf asked.

|ByANNA BARSKY
MK Tally Gotliv and and MK Ofir Katz attend a House committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem on, June 9, 2026.

Knesset advances bill to enshrine Torah study into Basic Law, supporting haredi draft evaders

It proposes that the State of Israel "recognize those who commit themselves to long-term dedication to Torah study as performing significant service to the state and the Jewish people."

|ByKESHET NEEV

On Simchat Torah, we dance because we refuse to let the darkness win - opinion

How can we dance again? It’s not just a question for Simchat Torah; it’s a question for every moment we face after loss, after tragedy, after the world splits wide open.

OCTOBER 23, 2024ByJACOB SCHIMMEL
An illustrative image of Jews celebrating with Torah scrolls on Simchat Torah.

UTJ member: Leftist kibbutz members are responsible for October 7, should not come to memorial

In the article Menachem Klugman directly blamed the kibbutz members for failing to prevent October 7.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2024ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Charred building in Kibbutz Nir Oz

Goldknopf – UTJ will not support 2025 budget without haredi IDF draft bill

The legal blanket haredi exemption from IDF service ended in July 2023 after being ruled unequal and therefore unconstitutional.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2024ByELIAV BREUER
HOUSING MINISTER Yitzhak Goldknopf, United Torah Judaism’s leader, in the Knesset last month. He turned to his Jewish heritage and instincts regarding the plight of the hostages, notes the writer.

Otzma Yehudit joins UTJ in threat to boycott Knesset plenum this week

Lapid cancels diplomatic US trip to attend plenum

SEPTEMBER 8, 2024ByELIAV BREUER
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir at a conference called "Israel's Return to the Temple Mount," at the Knesset on July 24, 2024.

MK Yisrael Eichler says VP Kamala Harris poses 'global danger'

The United Torah Judaism MK said that global leaders such as Vladimir Putin and Ali Khameini are in tune with developments in the US presidential race.

JULY 28, 2024ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
UTJ MK Yisrael Eichler points at a fellow lawmaker in the Knesset plenum.

Otzma Yehudit and haredi parties negotiating to pass series of controversial measures

Wheeling and dealing abound as Knesset wraps up summer session.

JULY 22, 2024ByELIAV BREUER
Itamar Ben-Gvir gestures following the announcement of exit polls at his party headquarters in Jerusalem.

Right-wing voters already marking Ben-Gvir as Netanyahu's potential successor - poll

In a post-Netanyahu era, Itamar Ben-Gvir leads right-wing candidate support. The National Camp and Likud see minor seat changes. Survey includes 500 respondents.

JULY 12, 2024ByMOSHE COHEN
(L-R) Benjamin Netanyahu; Itamar Ben-Gvir

Controversy over what Deputy IDF chief Baram told defense committee about Haredi draft

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is hoping to postpone the issue to September, concerned that the Haredim could bring the government down over their funds being frozen.

JULY 8, 2024ByYONAH JEREMY BOB
Incoming IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Amir Baram gives remarks at his inauguration ceremony, October 31, 2022.

Approximately 20 private-haredi schools are planning to switch to the state-haredi education system

Several haredi groups tried to reach a compromise with the help of Yesh Atid MK Moshe Tur-Paz but were blocked by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Shas.

JUNE 29, 2024ByYUVAL BARNEA
HAREDI MEN learn at the Mir Yeshiva in Jerusalem’s Mea She’arim, Sept. 13, 2023.

'Holy Torah will prevail': Haredi lawmakers, ministers rage at Israel's High Court

Jerusalem Affairs and Jewish Tradition Minister Meir Porush said the ruling is "leading to two states" of religious and secular Jews.

JUNE 25, 2024ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
(L-R) Jerusalem and Jewish Tradition Minister Meir Porush; Shas leader Arye Deri