Knesset Member's Stance on Haredi Draft Threatens Coalition Talks

Knesset Member Gilad Kariv of the "Democrats" party has stated that his party will not compromise on the issue of drafting ultra-Orthodox men into the military, complicating coalition negotiations for Gadi Eisenkot, a candidate from the "change bloc." Kariv indicated in an interview with Radio Ash-Shams that he believes the United Torah Judaism party will ultimately not join their government, and that the draft issue cannot be entirely set aside. He suggested that if Avigdor Lieberman and Bennett could bring United Torah Judaism into the coalition while offering a reasonable solution to the draft issue, that would be acceptable.

The insistence of the "change bloc" on keeping the military service law on the agenda effectively blocks a coalition with ultra-Orthodox parties like United Torah Judaism and Shas, who demand a law exempting them from service as a condition for joining any government. Without their support, Eisenkot's only path to a parliamentary majority would be to rely on the votes of Arab parties, either directly or indirectly. However, this option is also hindered by Avigdor Lieberman's repeated declarations against any cooperation with or dependence on Arab parties.

This political deadlock leaves Eisenkot without a clear route to forming a government, facing opposition from both the right, due to the ultra-Orthodox demands, and the left, due to Lieberman's stance on Arab parties. Political analysts suggest that Israel is approaching either new elections or a prolonged political stalemate.