Orthodox Parties Reshape Israeli Politics in "Poker" Move
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS French by baba
Ultra-Orthodox parties in Israel are strategically repositioning themselves in politics, aiming to regain influence after years of automatic alignment with the Likud. Researcher Dov Maimon likens the move to "poker," suggesting they want to become kingmakers rather than captive allies. This shift is partly driven by the national debate over military conscription and the potential loss of young adherents. The parties' new stance could significantly impact the formation of the next Israeli government.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Ultra-Orthodox parties are strategically repositioning themselves to become kingmakers in Israeli politics.
- The move aims to regain political leverage lost through automatic alignment with the Likud since 1996.
- The debate over military conscription and its burden is a key factor in the ultra-Orthodox parties' strategy.
- Rabbis fear losing young ultra-Orthodox adherents who are questioning their collective commitment.
- Benjamin Netanyahu faces an electoral challenge in granting further military exemptions to yeshiva students.
- The "change bloc's" cohesion beyond opposition to Netanyahu is questioned by researcher Dov Maimon.
The United Torah Judaism party's decision not to endorse Benjamin Netanyahu could significantly alter Israel's political landscape. Dov Maimon, a researcher at the JPPI, described the situation as "poker," suggesting that Ashkenazi ultra-Orthodox parties are strategically aiming to regain political leverage they have lost since aligning with the right-wing bloc in 1996. By becoming automatic allies of the Likud, they have diminished their negotiating power and now seek to become kingmakers, able to bargain their support with various political factions.
This strategic repositioning is also driven by a deeper national debate over the burden of military conscription, especially after more than three years of war. Maimon highlights the dilemma faced by ultra-Orthodox youth, torn between religious devotion and societal expectations. Ashkenazi rabbis reportedly fear losing adherents who are questioning their collective commitment.
Benjamin Netanyahu faces a political impasse, as granting further military exemptions to yeshiva students would be difficult to accept for parts of his electorate. Meanwhile, Maimon questions the true cohesion of the "change bloc," wondering if its components share a common societal vision beyond their opposition to Netanyahu.
Maimon concludes that the ultra-Orthodox parties are no longer willing to be captive partners to a single political camp, and this newfound independence could heavily influence the formation of the next government.
