Full Breakdown
Haredi Parties Shas and United Torah Judaism in Israel’s 2026 Election
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event – The October 27 Knesset Election and Haredi Influence
Israel’s 26th Knesset election is scheduled for October 27. Two ultra-Orthodox parties—Shas and United Torah Judaism (UTJ)—are vying for seats that could determine the next government’s composition. Their positions on religious legislation, military conscription, and state funding are central to coalition talks.
Background & Context – Origins and Recent Political Moves
Shas, founded in 1984, is led by Arye Deri with Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef as spiritual head. UTJ, created in 1992, is chaired by Yaakov Asher. Both sit on the right and have been key partners of Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc.
In the 25th Knesset, Shas held 11 seats and UTJ 7 seats. Current polls place them at roughly seven and eight seats respectively. Neither party has pledged exclusive support for Netanyahu; Shas’s spiritual leader has indicated openness to a government led by Gadi Eisenkot.
Both parties resigned from the government in 2025 after a dispute over a draft-evader bill and have warned they will withhold coalition support when haredi-backed legislation is delayed.
Data & Statistics – Poll Projections for Shas and UTJ
| Source | Shas seats | UTJ seats |
|---|---|---|
| i24NEWS poll (Sept 9 2026) | 7 | 8 |
| Midgam poll (Sept 8 2026) | 7 | 8 |
| Times of Israel (party registrations) | 7 | 8 |
| Average of five polls | 7 | 7.8 (rounded to 8) |
| AA poll (Sept 8 2026) | 7 | 8 |
The variation between 7 and 8 seats reflects minor methodological differences but consistently positions them as modest yet pivotal bloc members.
Official Statements & Responses – Legislative Priorities and Conscription Stance
- Arye Deri visited imprisoned haredi draft evaders in June 2025, declaring Shas “stands behind them.”
- Yitzhak Goldknopf, then-UTJ leader, echoed the support.
- Both parties championed legislation that enshrined Torah study as a fundamental value in Israel’s Basic Laws, passed in 2025. Critics say it encourages draft evasion.
- On July 13 2026, UTJ chairman Moshe Gafni attended a Knesset plenum on the Torah-study bill.
- On January 12 2026, Shas leader Aryeh Deri led a faction meeting at the Knesset.
Both oppose High Court authority to overturn haredi-related legislation, support the Chief Rabbinate’s monopoly over marriage and kashrut, and resist civil marriage, non-Orthodox worship at the Western Wall, and public transportation on Shabbat.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps – Poll Discrepancies and Uncertain Coalition Outcomes
Polls differ on the exact seat count, ranging from 7 to 8. The emergence of a new ultra-Orthodox party, Hardei Public, which advocates broader military service for haredi men, adds uncertainty about voter realignment within the bloc.
What’s Next – Election Date and Potential Coalition Scenarios
The October 27 election will decide whether Shas and UTJ can leverage their seats to shape the next government. If Netanyahu assembles a majority with his traditional allies, the haredi parties could help form a right-wing coalition similar to the current one. If the opposition secures a majority and Shas crosses the traditional bloc divide, the parties could become bargaining partners for a non-Netanyahu government. Their stance on the Torah-study Basic Law, draft exemptions, and state funding for haredi institutions will remain central in coalition negotiations.
