Ultra-Orthodox Party Offers Support for Government if Draft Exemption Law Passes
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
The United Torah Judaism party is willing to support Gadi Eisenkot's bid to form a government, provided a law exempting ultra-Orthodox men from IDF service is passed. This offer comes as Eisenkot's bloc, projected to win 48 seats, faces challenges forming a coalition. Key potential partners like Avigdor Lieberman and Naftali Bennett oppose such exemptions, and Shas, a crucial potential ally, has seen its electoral support significantly decline.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- United Torah Judaism will support Gadi Eisenkot's government formation if draft exemption for ultra-Orthodox passes.
- The offer comes from MK Yaakov Asher, a senior figure in the United Torah Judaism party.
- Eisenkot's bloc is projected to win 48 seats, falling short of the 55 needed for a majority.
- Potential coalition partners Avigdor Lieberman and Naftali Bennett oppose draft exemptions.
- Shas party's electoral support has significantly decreased, impacting its coalition leverage.
The United Torah Judaism party, led by Knesset Member Yaakov Asher, is prepared to offer support to Gadi Eisenkot's "New Hope" party in forming a government. A senior source within United Torah Judaism told Ynet on Thursday, October 29, that the primary condition for this cooperation is the passage of a law that would effectively exempt ultra-Orthodox men from IDF conscription.
"Gadi (Eisenkot) has the opportunity to form a government with Netanyahu. However, in this scenario, Netanyahu would be prime minister, and Gadi would receive a key ministerial post," the source explained. "We, on the other hand, are ready to make him prime minister. This is far better than being second-in-command in a government or going to elections again."
Eisenkot leads the largest party in the "change bloc," which, according to 97% of votes counted, is projected to win 48 seats in the 26th Knesset. United Torah Judaism holds seven seats. A total of 55 seats is insufficient to form a government, meaning Eisenkot would need to approach the Shas party to form a viable coalition.
This possibility appears unlikely given statements from "New Hope" and its bloc partners opposing the exemption of ultra-Orthodox individuals from military service. Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, explicitly stated on October 29 that he would not join a government with ultra-Orthodox or Arab parties. Naftali Bennett, head of the Yamina bloc, had consistently condemned draft dodgers during the election campaign and promised to ensure universal conscription.
Previously, Gadi Eisenkot outlined four conditions for alliances: recognition of Israel's democratic and Jewish character, adherence to the Declaration of Independence, support for universal conscription, and recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organization to be destroyed. At that time, Eisenkot noted that no Arab or ultra-Orthodox party met these criteria.
Shas, meanwhile, has secured only six seats, its lowest number since 1992, a significant drop from its 11 seats in the 25th Knesset. This reduction in representation limits Shas's leverage in obtaining key ministries. Preliminary counts indicate Shas lost approximately 100,000 votes, placing it second to last among parties that passed the electoral threshold, ahead only of the Religious Zionism and Zehut bloc.
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