Shas, UTJ projected to win 12-14 seats in next Knesset, election exit polls predict

Jerusalem Post/Israel Election 2026Both Shas and UTJ are part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political bloc, and their combined seat total could prove crucial in determining whether he can secure a 61-seat majority.Follow us on GoogleShas party head Arye Deri speaks to supporters as the results of the Israeli elections are announced, in Jerusalem, November 1, 2022(photo credit: YOSSI ZAMIR/FLASH90)OCTOBER 27, 2026 22:09Israel's two main haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism (UTJ), were projected to win six to eight and six seats, respectively, according to exit polls published by Channels 11, 12, and 13 on Tuesday night.The projections would give the two parties a combined 12 - 14 seats in the 120-member Knesset.The results could have significant implications for coalition negotiations and the next government's ability to secure a parliamentary majority. However, exit polls are preliminary projections, and the final distribution of seats will depend on the official vote count and the allocation of Knesset seats.Election posters and stickers of the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism (UTJ) and Shas parties are displayed in the town of Kiryat Ye’arim, near Jerusalem, October 25, 2026 (credit: OREN BEN HAKOON/FLASH90)Both Shas and UTJ are part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political bloc, and their combined seat total could prove crucial in determining whether he can secure the 61 seats needed for a Knesset majority.This is a developing story.Follow us on Google