Coalition Talks: "Change Bloc" Considers Concessions on Haredi Draft
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
A senior "Change Bloc" lawmaker revealed on Thursday that the bloc is considering compromising on the ultra-Orthodox draft issue to form a government, stating the public did not vote against Haredi parties. This comes as election results leave both major blocs without a clear majority, with the current coalition at 53 mandates and the "Change Bloc" at 48. Meanwhile, the Central Elections Committee chairman has ordered the Shin Bet to investigate alleged foreign funding and bribery in the elections. In the Haredi community, an underground "Sit and Do Nothing" campaign encouraged abstention from voting.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- A senior "Change Bloc" lawmaker indicated willingness to compromise on the ultra-Orthodox draft issue to form a government.
- The current coalition has 53 mandates, while the "Change Bloc" has 48, leaving neither with a clear majority.
- The Chairman of the Central Elections Committee ordered an investigation into alleged foreign funding and bribery.
- An underground campaign encouraged the Haredi public to abstain from voting in the recent elections.
- President Isaac Herzog urged political leaders to "open your minds and hearts" during consultations.
A senior member of the "Change Bloc" indicated on Thursday that the bloc is seriously considering compromising on the issue of military conscription for ultra-Orthodox men in order to form a government. "The election results show the public did not vote against the Haredim," the lawmaker stated, adding, "If we need to compromise on the draft issue to form a government, we will seriously examine it." This statement comes amidst calls to form a "change government" that includes the ultra-Orthodox parties, following election results that left both major blocs without a clear majority. The current coalition secured 53 mandates, while the "Change Bloc" garnered 48.
Recent meetings between leaders of the "Change Bloc" included a late-night summit between Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of Yishar!, and Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu. They emphasized the critical importance of voting for parties within the "serving bloc," which includes Yishar!, Yisrael Beiteinu, Achva, and HaDemocratim. President Isaac Herzog commented on the upcoming consultations, noting the high voter turnout and urging leaders to "open your minds and hearts."
The updated election results show the Likud as the largest party with 26 mandates, followed by Yishar! with 21. Achva received 12 mandates, the Joint List 11, HaDemocratim and Ra'am eight each, Yisrael Beiteinu, Otzma Yehudit, Yahadut HaTorah, and Shas seven each, and Religious Zionism and Zehut six each.
Amidst the political negotiations, an investigation into suspicions of foreign funding and bribery in the elections is underway. The Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, has instructed Shin Bet head David Zini to investigate these allegations and report findings within a week.
In the ultra-Orthodox community, a notable development involved a campaign called "Sit and Do Nothing," an underground movement that encouraged the Haredi public to abstain from voting. This initiative reportedly stemmed from the distress of parents whose sons studying in yeshivas and kollels were declared "deserters" during the previous term. First to the Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef published a letter of encouragement to Shas movement leaders, including its chairman Arie Deri, addressing the complex situation of Torah scholars and the significant support received in the recent elections.
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