Hagai Loiber Says Only One Scenario Will Sway Him to Vote Likud

Hagai Loiber, father of fallen soldier Elisha Yehonatan Loiber, announced on Thursday that a single political scenario could convince him to vote for the Likud party, despite never having supported them before. In a social media post, Loiber stated that if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Likud commit to forming a broad unity government that includes Gadi Eisenkot's party, he would cast his vote for Likud.

Loiber, who declared his intention to form a new party and run in the upcoming Knesset elections in late June, initially aimed to establish a broad unity government between the two major parties and central blocs, opposing the formation of a narrow coalition. However, recent weeks have seen a shift in his approach, hinting at reconsidering running independently and now contemplating voting for another party for the first time.

He specifically referenced a report suggesting Netanyahu might explore forming a government with Eisenkot's party post-election. Loiber expressed optimism about this possibility, believing Israel needs to break free from its current political divisions. He criticized parties for entrenching themselves in their respective camps and seeking "governments of subjugation," arguing that this polarization hinders the formation of a broad government capable of making crucial decisions.

Loiber clarified that a clear commitment from Likud to pursue such a broad coalition with Eisenkot's party, announced before the elections, would be sufficient for him to vote Likud. He added that this decision would override his criticisms of the current government and Likud, including their perceived responsibility for the "terrible failure" of October 7th, the issue of Haredi conscription, and their contribution to societal division and escalating rhetoric.