Haredi Parties Undermine Right-Wing Bloc, Potentially at a Cost
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
United Torah Judaism has decided not to recommend Prime Minister Netanyahu for government formation, a move seen as dismantling the right-wing bloc. Shas, despite electoral losses, still recommends Netanyahu. This Haredi stance may lead to a unity government or new elections, with the conscription law becoming a key issue potentially impacting Haredi parties.
The story in 4 lines · by baba
- United Torah Judaism's refusal to recommend Netanyahu signals a breakdown of the right-wing bloc.
- Shas lost half its strength in elections but still recommends Netanyahu.
- Haredi parties' actions could lead to a unity government or new elections.
- The conscription law is a key issue that may affect Haredi parties in a unity government.
The decision by United Torah Judaism not to recommend Prime Minister Netanyahu for forming the next government is a direct continuation of their withdrawal from the coalition, which led to its paralysis in the last year and a half of the previous term. This move effectively dismantles the right-wing bloc. Shas, which followed the Lithuanian ultra-Orthodox faction, suffered a significant blow in the election, losing half its strength, but has so far chosen to remain in the bloc and recommend Netanyahu. This flirtation with the left-wing bloc appears intended to pressure Netanyahu, but it may come at a price. Shas is unlikely to join a left-wing government, making a unity government or new elections the most realistic scenarios. In the event of a unity government, the central issue would be the conscription law, potentially at the expense of the Haredi parties. This would involve regaining the support of voters like Nadav and Winter, reservists who are struggling, while United Torah Judaism continues to oppose Haredi conscription. The time has come for Haredi decisions to also carry a price.
