United Torah Judaism has announced its MKs will abstain from the vote to expel Ayman Odeh, igniting sharp criticism from coalition members who view the move as a betrayal of national unity. The vote is now unlikely to reach the 90-MK threshold, casting doubt on the expulsion effort.
In a decision that has sparked intense political backlash, United Torah Judaism (UTJ) declared during its faction meeting on Monday that its Knesset members will abstain from the vote to expel MK Ayman Odeh, the controversial Arab lawmaker accused by his critics of aligning with anti-Israel sentiment.
The abstention has drawn fiery criticism from within the coalition, with Likud MK Avichai Boaron, who initiated the expulsion process, accusing UTJ of abandoning national responsibility.
“The leaders of UTJ are acting irresponsibly. Expelling a terrorist sympathizer like Odeh should not be linked to unrelated legislative priorities such as the conscription law,” Boaron stated.
“By refusing to support this crucial vote, UTJ is distancing itself from the national camp and betraying the sacrifices of IDF soldiers, bereaved families, and the families of hostages still awaiting justice.”
Boaron issued a stark warning to the Haredi community:
“My colleagues and I in Likud stood with you on the conscription issue. If you won’t stand with us now, don’t be surprised when we’re not there for you when it matters most.”
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir took to social media, sarcastically questioning, “United Torah Judaism or the Islamic Movement?” Meanwhile, MK Tzvi Sukkot called the move a “shame and disgrace.” In contrast, the Shas party has announced its full support for expelling Odeh.
Odeh, for his part, has gone on the offensive, warning opposition MKs that supporting his removal could set a dangerous precedent.
“Today it’s me—tomorrow, it could be you,” his office cautioned, as he reached out to opposition members whose votes remain uncertain.
According to Kan Radio, Odeh has framed the expulsion push as an attack on liberal democracy and warned opposition MKs that supporting it could alienate their progressive base. The Yesh Atid and National Unity parties remain split, with several members reportedly opposed to voting in favor—making it increasingly unlikely that the 90-MK supermajority required to pass the expulsion motion will be reached.
Odeh has previously condemned the Knesset committee’s approval of his expulsion, accusing opposition members of colluding with Netanyahu and far-right factions to undermine democratic norms.
“They hate us more than they love democracy,” Odeh charged. “This is a defining moment—you either fight back, or you surrender.”
With political alliances strained and the coalition fraying under the weight of internal contradictions, the vote on Ayman Odeh’s expulsion now serves as a flashpoint in Israel’s volatile political landscape—one that could ripple into broader legislative battles in the weeks ahead.
