The Degel HaTorah faction, the Lithuanian stream within United Torah Judaism, announced its withdrawal from the coalition and government. In a published letter, they quoted Rabbi Dov Lando, who wrote to them that "since government authorities are revealing their intention to intensify restrictions on Torah students' lives, and time after time fail to fulfill their commitments, my opinion is that participation with the government and coalition should be immediately terminated." The faction wrote that "in accordance with the Rabbi's instruction, Degel HaTorah members of Knesset will leave the government and coalition today."