Internal Strife within the Knesset: Tensions Erupt in the Haredi Factions

Overview of Haredi Party Dynamics

The two Haredi factions in the 25th Knesset, Shas and United Torah Judaism, tally 18 members-11 from Shas and seven from United Torah Judaism. However, unity among their ranks crumbled during a recent vote, leading to significant political ramifications. Shas opposed the dissolution of the Knesset, while a split occurred within United Torah Judaism; Degel HaTorah voted against the motion, whereas Agudat Yisrael experienced a division, with some members supporting the dispersal.

Resignation of Minister Glick

Shortly after these events, Minister of Construction and Housing, Yitzchak Goldknopf, acted on his threats and submitted his resignation. In contrast, fellow Minister Moshe Porush is not expected to resign. This sudden shift has set off a chain of changes: Eliyahu Bruchi from Degel HaTorah is expected to leave the Knesset, allowing Goldknopf’s return as a Member of Knesset. Meanwhile, Transportation Deputy Minister Uri Maklev will reenter the Knesset, replacing MK Moshe Roth from Agudat Yisrael. Goldknopf’s resignation highlights the second instance where MK Israel Eichler has resisted collaboration with Goldknopf’s threats against the government.

Background and Causes of Resignation

In his resignation letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Goldknopf recalled the coalition agreement signed on December 28, 2022, which included provisions on the status of Yeshiva students through amendments to the Security Servstart Law. Despite previous delays requested by the Council of Torah Greats, progress on the necessary legislation has not been made. Goldknopf noted the continued lack of movement toward formalizing the status of Torah scholars following repeated warnings during government meetings. Consequently, he announced support for the proposal to disperse the Knesset, emphasizing a glaring disconnect between the coalition’s commitments and the reality faced by his party.

Efforts to Form a Unified Front

At start point, it seemed that Rabbi Yaakov Aryeh Alter, the leader of the Gur Hasidic community, might unify the Haredi parties in an ultimatum regarding the recruitment law. He dispatched his son, Rabbi Nehemiah Alter, to meet with leaders of the Litvish factions to establish a united front threatening to dissolve the government if a recruitment law was not passed by Shavuot. Following Shavuot, discussions were expected to evolve based on newly introduced proposals. The urgency for a unified response grew palpably as letters were sent from Litvish rabbis urging action.

Despite these collaborative pressures, conflicting viewpoints emerged within the Haredi community. Not all leaders supported dissolving the Knesset or the recruitment law’s implications, leading to an increasingly fraught political landscape between the factions.

Conclusion: Changing Political Landscape

Goldknopf’s departure from the government marks a pivotal moment, eliminating a crucial lever to pressure the coalition into action. Observers note that a lack of cohesion among the Haredi factions has empowered other political leaders, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, to maneuver through this turmoil. As negotiations over the recruitment law continue to evolve, the internal dynamics of the Haredi factions remain uncertain, setting the stage for potential future alignments or schisms within Israeli politics