clear

Creating new perspectives since 2009

Shas reportedly open to supporting Eisenkot-led government if United Torah Judaism joins

November 9, 2026 at 12:18 pm

Yashar Party leader Gadi Eisenkot deliver speeches ahead of a ceremony at the President’s Residence, where Herzog tasks Eisenkot with forming a government following the October 27 elections in Jerusalem, on November 8, 2026. [Saeed Qaq – Anadolu Agency]

Members of Israel’s ultra-Orthodox Shas party are reportedly considering the possibility of supporting a government led by Gadi Eizenkot, provided that the United Torah Judaism (UTJ) party also agrees to participate, according to Israeli media reports.

The Hebrew-language newspaper Maariv quoted a source within Shas as saying that backing an Eisenkot-led government could be an option if UTJ joins the proposed political arrangement.

The report comes amid ongoing discussions between Israel’s so-called change bloc and United Torah Judaism over potential parliamentary cooperation and the formation of a new governing coalition.

According to Maariv, a prominent religious figure could play an influential role in determining Shas’s eventual position on the matter.

The reported discussions reflect efforts among Israeli political parties to explore alternative coalition arrangements following the parliamentary elections.

Any decision by Shas and UTJ to support an Eisenkot-led government could alter the balance of parliamentary alliances and influence negotiations over the formation of Israel’s next government.

However, Shas has not issued an official decision regarding participation in or support for a government headed by Eisenkot, and the reported possibility remains under discussion.