European Diplomats Probe Haredi Support for Potential Eisenkot Government
Translated & summarized from Arab48 by baba
European diplomats are exploring the potential for Haredi parties to join a government led by Gadi Eisenkot following Israeli elections. They believe a government without Haredi support, potentially relying on Arab parties, would be short-lived. Haredi sources indicate a pragmatic approach to settlements, with rabbis holding final decision-making power. Analysts suggest Eisenkot is keeping channels open for Haredi involvement, aligning with European interests in Israeli governmental stability.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- European diplomats are assessing Haredi parties' willingness to join a potential Gadi Eisenkot government.
- Diplomats believe a government without Haredi support would be unstable and quickly fall.
- Haredi parties reportedly have a pragmatic stance on settlements and would not obstruct a West Bank agreement.
- The Swiss Ambassador met with a Haredi journalist to understand the community's perspective.
- European nations and some Arab states are closely monitoring Israel's election dynamics.
- Eisenkot is reportedly maintaining informal dialogue with Haredi representatives to ensure stability.
European diplomats are actively engaging with Haredi political factions in Israel to gauge the possibility of their participation in a government led by Gadi Eisenkot, should he be tasked with forming one after the upcoming elections. Reports from "Walla!" and "Israel Hayom" indicate that these diplomats believe a government reliant on Arab party support, such as one potentially formed by Eisenkot, would be unstable and quickly toppled by current Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu. The European envoys are seeking to understand if Haredi parties would align with Eisenkot and support such a government, identifying key Haredi rabbis influencing these decisions.
Conversations with Haredi sources suggest that Haredi parties are not ideologically committed to settlements in Gaza, Lebanon, or Syria, nor do they advocate for new settlements in the West Bank. One Haredi official reportedly told diplomats that these parties would not obstruct a political agreement in the West Bank, with final decisions resting with the rabbis, whose views on the matter are described as pragmatic. The Swiss Ambassador to Israel, Simon Geissbühler, met with Haredi journalist Yanki Brafver to gain insight into the Haredi community.
"Walla!" also reported that Arab nations maintaining relations with Israel are closely monitoring the election campaign and political shifts within Israel. European Union countries are utilizing analysts and experts to track these developments, with a particular focus on the Haredi community, to inform their leaders and foreign ministers.
European diplomatic analysis suggests that Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Lieberman, along with their respective parties, oppose Haredi inclusion in an opposition-led government. However, Eisenkot's approach is perceived as more open, with his party not actively campaigning against the Haredi community. A European diplomat noted that Eisenkot is careful not to close doors to forming a stable government, and informal dialogue with Haredi representatives is ongoing through intermediaries. This shared interest in maintaining governmental stability post-Netanyahu aligns European and Eisenkot's objectives.
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