United Torah Judaism Demands Concessions on Draft Law for Support
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Senior members of the "change bloc" are considering a minority government supported by an abstention from United Torah Judaism (UTJ) in exchange for concessions on a draft law. UTJ confirmed negotiations are ongoing but success is unlikely, with the change bloc worried about UTJ's commitment. Avigdor Lieberman has ruled out direct or indirect cooperation with certain leaders, favoring a coalition of Zionist parties. The election results have prompted serious consideration of draft law compromises to form a government.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Change bloc explores minority government with UTJ abstention for draft law concessions.
- UTJ demands agreed draft law and yeshiva student status for abstention.
- Lieberman rejects sitting with Netanyahu and certain other leaders.
- Shas may join a government if the draft law issue is resolved.
- Election results prompt change bloc to consider draft law compromises for government formation.
Senior figures in the "change bloc" are reportedly exploring a complex political maneuver involving the swearing-in of a minority government, contingent on United Torah Judaism abstaining from a vote. This strategy aims to provide a safety net for Gadi Eisenkot. Under such a scenario, the Netanyahu bloc would be reduced to 46 Knesset seats, while Eisenkot's bloc would gain 48 seats.
United Torah Judaism's price for this abstention is reportedly an agreed-upon draft law and the regulation of the status of yeshiva students. Sources within the party have confirmed that negotiations are underway through intermediaries, though the likelihood of success is considered very low. The change bloc fears United Torah Judaism might withdraw support at the last moment and is testing their loyalty.
A key unknown is whether Avigdor Lieberman would agree to rely on the ultra-Orthodox parties and compromise on the sensitive draft law issue. Lieberman's recent statement indicated a willingness to sit in a government with them, but not directly or indirectly with Benjamin Netanyahu or other specific leaders. He stated that the only viable coalition would consist solely of Zionist parties, including the Likud without Netanyahu.
Meanwhile, within United Torah Judaism, there are closed-door discussions suggesting that if the draft law issue is resolved, Shas would join the move. This comes after Shas's significant electoral decline, dropping from 11 seats to just 6. A senior Knesset member from the change bloc told Kikar HaShabbat on Thursday that, following the election results, the bloc is seriously considering compromises on the draft law to form a government, noting that the public did not vote against the ultra-Orthodox parties.
Final election results show the current coalition with 53 seats against the change bloc's 48. The Likud leads with 27 seats, followed by Yesh Atid with 21, and the National Unity party with 12. The Joint List secured 11 seats, Hadash and Ra'am each got 8, and Israel Beiteinu, United Torah Judaism, and Otzma Yehudit each won 7 seats. Shas, Religious Zionism, and Zehut received 6 seats each.
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