Senior Haredi figure attacks Netanyahu, says a deal is off and cooperation with Eisenkot is possible

A senior Haredi political figure launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, saying there is no longer any agreement with Netanyahu over the Basic Law on Torah study. In comments aired Friday night on Channel 12's "Ulpan Shishi," the source said Netanyahu has been stalling for four years and accused him of fearing public opinion and losing control of his own allies.

"There is no deal with Netanyahu, he has been dragging us along for four years," the Haredi figure said. "We supported him against our ideology and values." He added that ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Smotrich are effectively steering Netanyahu. The source also said the Haredi parties do not want unnecessary wars, especially not a confrontation with the United States.

Smotrich was attacked in unusually harsh terms, with the source saying, "The state and its residents do not interest Smotrich. Not the south and not the north, only his settlements." The criticism came amid the Haredi bloc's frustration over the stalled legislation and its broader political dependence on Netanyahu.

At the same time, a senior opposition figure criticized Benny Gantz over reports that he may join forces with Yoaz Hendel and Dadi Shmhi. The source told Channel 12 that Gantz was staging "a masquerade" and turning his party into "a proxy of Netanyahu." He accused Gantz of taking votes from opposition supporters, making a "kamikaze" move for Netanyahu, and using the language of unity to get revenge on Hili Tropper, Gadi Eizenkot, and Yair Lapid while preserving Netanyahu's rule.