# In Big Shift, UTJ Weighs Backing an Eisenkot-Led Minority Government

> Frustrated after Netanyahu failed to deliver yeshiva draft exemptions, the ultra-Orthodox party is exploring abstaining rather than opposing an opposition-led government, though conscription remains a major sticking point.

- Source: Israel Politics Post
- Canonical URL: https://israelpoliticspost.com/article/utj-weighs-backing-eisenkot-led-minority-government
- Author: Israel Politics Post Staff
- Section: Coalition Politics
- Published: 2026-10-30T13:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-30T13:00:00.000Z
- Tags: United Torah Judaism, Eisenkot, coalition, 2026 election

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United Torah Judaism, the seven-seat ultra-Orthodox party, is exploring support for a minority government led by opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot without formally joining his coalition, according to a report by The Times of Israel. Under the arrangement being discussed, UTJ would abstain on confidence votes rather than oppose the government, keeping it functional from outside rather than taking ministerial posts.

The possibility marks a potential break from UTJ's longstanding alliance with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One party source was quoted as saying "we won't get anything from Netanyahu" and that "our alliance with him has run its course." UTJ left Netanyahu's coalition in July 2025 after he failed to deliver legislation exempting yeshiva students from military service, a central demand for the party.

Conscription remains the central obstacle to any arrangement with Eisenkot, however, since he has firmly opposed blanket draft exemptions of the kind ultra-Orthodox parties are seeking. The discussions are reportedly taking place at a junior level for now, with Eisenkot's own involvement unclear, though UTJ leadership is said to be hoping more serious talks begin soon.

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Originally published by Israel Politics Post. Free to cite with attribution and a link to https://israelpoliticspost.com/article/utj-weighs-backing-eisenkot-led-minority-government.