Lieberman Drops Veto on Haredi Parties, Paving Way for "Change Bloc" Government
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Avigdor Lieberman has lifted his veto on Haredi parties, allowing the "Change Bloc" to negotiate a coalition government with them. This move follows Lieberman's election pledges and aims to replace Benjamin Netanyahu. Negotiations are expected to center on a 2018 exemption law for Torah students. Meanwhile, Gadi Eisenkot is considering a minority government, while efforts continue to form a 61-seat coalition including Haredi parties.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Avigdor Lieberman has ended his boycott of Haredi parties, enabling coalition talks.
- The "Change Bloc" is negotiating with United Torah Judaism, potentially including Shas.
- Negotiations are expected to be based on a 2018 law exempting Torah students from service.
- Gadi Eisenkot is considering forming a minority government as early as next week.
- Arie Deri reportedly favors aligning with Benjamin Netanyahu and the Likud party.
Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, has officially ended his long-standing boycott of Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties, according to a report by political correspondent Amit Segal on Channel 12 News. During the recent election campaign, Lieberman had pledged not to sit with Arab parties, not to sit with Benjamin Netanyahu, and not to sit with Haredi parties.
Given the current political landscape, Lieberman reportedly believes his primary commitment is to replace Netanyahu. He also maintains his stance against sitting with or relying on Arab parties, citing a rightward shift in the public and the perceived futility of such a government. Consequently, Lieberman has given his "green light" for his "Change Bloc" partners to negotiate with Haredi parties.
Negotiations are expected to be based on a 2018 law exempting Torah students from military service, a law Lieberman himself proposed in the past. Haredi parties had previously rejected it but now regret that decision. Segal reported that the "Change Bloc" views the Haredi party United Torah Judaism's non-endorsement of Netanyahu as a sign of seriousness regarding these potential coalition talks.
Regarding Shas, Arie Deri reportedly wishes to align with Netanyahu, with Shas maintaining close ties to the Likud party. The "Change Bloc" anticipates that the decision of Lithuanian Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Dov Landau will influence other Haredi factions to join the coalition. Segal added that the 2018 law is more lenient towards Torah students than the conscription law criticized by the opposition, imposing financial sanctions on yeshivas only after three years and without personal sanctions on draft evaders.
These developments suggest the formation of two competing potential governments. Gadi Eisenkot is considering a minority government to be sworn in as early as next week, while simultaneously, negotiations with United Torah Judaism are underway with the hope of bringing Shas into a 61-seat coalition. This would be a dramatic shift given the campaigns led by Lieberman and Eisenkot in recent years.
Mentioned
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Centre 3Right 3Haredi 3Arab 2Other 1
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.
