Top Rabbi Denies False Reports of Coalition Talks with Gadi Eisenkot
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Rabbi Moshe Maya, a senior Shas party rabbi, has strongly denied reports claiming he approved coalition talks with MK Gadi Eisenkot, calling the claims "blatant lies." The denial comes as Eisenkot reportedly explores forming a minority government. United Torah Judaism also issued a statement denying any unofficial reports. Meanwhile, key political figures like Avigdor Lieberman oppose governments reliant on Haredi or Arab parties, and the conscription law remains a sticking point.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Senior Rabbi Moshe Maya denied approving coalition talks with MK Gadi Eisenkot.
- Rabbi Maya called the reports of his approval "completely false" and "blatant lies."
- Gadi Eisenkot was reportedly exploring a minority government with outside support.
- United Torah Judaism stated it preemptively denies all unofficial reports.
- Avigdor Lieberman opposes governments reliant on Haredi or Arab parties.
- The conscription law remains a central point of contention in coalition talks.
Rabbi Moshe Maya, the senior rabbi of the Council of Torah Sages of the Shas party, vehemently denied reports circulating in recent days that he had approved or commented on coalition negotiations with Member of Knesset Gadi Eisenkot. Speaking with family members, Rabbi Maya stated that the reports were "completely false" and that "no one spoke to me about Gadi Eisenkot." He asserted that he had not spoken with any party about the government since the election results were published on Tuesday, accusing those spreading the rumors of "making things up in my name and publishing lies." Rabbi Maya expressed strong displeasure with the phenomenon of attributing statements that were never made, calling it a "blatant lie."
The firm clarification comes amid a wave of speculation in the political arena following the elections. Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the 'Yash' party, had reportedly been exploring the possibility of forming a minority government with the abstention of United Torah Judaism and partial support from Ra'am. In parallel, United Torah Judaism issued a statement clarifying that any publication attributed to the party not officially released by them is "preemptively denied." The party added that they would not bother to deny every false report.
Leaders of United Torah Judaism are preparing for consultations with the President, scheduled for Wednesday. Yaakov Asher, chairman of Degel HaTorah, met with MKs Yitzhak Goldknopf and Meir Porush to formulate a joint position, with one option being to not recommend any candidate to the president. MK Yitzhak Goldknopf of Agudat Yisrael stated, "We are not in anyone's bloc; we demand a conscription law without sanctions." MK Meir Porush indicated that Eisenkot would not approach them.
Key obstacles to forming a government remain. Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, firmly opposes a government relying on Haredi or Arab parties, directly or indirectly. The issue of the conscription law also remains a central point of contention, with Agudat Yisrael reiterating its demands.
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