Ultra-Orthodox Party Offers Prime Ministership to Gadi Eisenkot
Translated & summarized from Kipa by baba
United Torah Judaism is reportedly considering offering Gadi Eisenkot the prime ministership in exchange for advancing a conscription exemption law for the ultra-Orthodox. A senior party official confirmed the plan, suggesting it's preferable to serving under Benjamin Netanyahu or facing new elections. The move comes amid a post-election political deadlock, with the conscription issue remaining a significant hurdle.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- United Torah Judaism may offer Gadi Eisenkot the prime ministership in exchange for a conscription exemption law.
- A senior party official confirmed the potential offer to ynet, citing preference over serving under Netanyahu.
- The proposal aims to break the post-election political deadlock and avoid repeat elections.
- The issue of ultra-Orthodox military conscription remains a major obstacle to potential agreements.
- Elements within the party are also exploring enabling a minority government through abstentions.
In a significant political development following the recent elections, the United Torah Judaism party is reportedly planning to offer the chairmanship of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, Gadi Eisenkot, the opportunity to form a government with their support. This offer is contingent on the advancement of a law exempting ultra-Orthodox men from military conscription. A senior party official confirmed this potential move to ynet on Thursday, suggesting it could reshape the relationship between the ultra-Orthodox party and the Netanyahu bloc and present Eisenkot with a new path to forming a government.
The senior official explained that from United Torah Judaism's perspective, supporting Eisenkot as prime minister is preferable to serving under Benjamin Netanyahu in a unity government, where Netanyahu would hold the top position and Eisenkot a senior ministerial role. "We are giving him the prime ministership," the official stated, adding that it is better than being a "number 2" or facing repeat elections.
This proposal emerges amidst a political stalemate after the elections, where no bloc has secured a clear majority to form a government. Channel 12 news also reported that elements within United Torah Judaism are considering a scenario where they would enable Eisenkot to form a minority government by abstaining from key votes, without initially joining the coalition themselves. However, the contentious issue of ultra-Orthodox conscription remains a major obstacle to any potential agreement.
