Deri's Potential Decision on Eisenkot Unveiled After Lieberman Lifts Veto
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Gadi Eisenkot faces significant challenges in forming a coalition government, with Haredi parties like Shas expressing doubts about joining. Avigdor Lieberman has reportedly lifted his veto on cooperating with Haredi parties, but remains opposed to any government reliant on Arab parties. Deep divisions persist over the conscription of Haredi men, a key demand for secular parties. If Eisenkot fails, Lieberman is considered a potential successor to attempt government formation.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Gadi Eisenkot faces coalition challenges due to Haredi party reluctance and Lieberman's opposition to Arab party reliance.
- Aryeh Deri's recommendation for Netanyahu signals Shas's potential unwillingness to join Eisenkot's government.
- Avigdor Lieberman has reportedly removed his veto on cooperating with Haredi parties, enabling new contacts.
- A minority government supported by Arab parties is opposed by Lieberman and likely by Haredi parties.
- Disagreements over Haredi conscription and yeshiva students' status remain a major hurdle for coalition talks.
Efforts to form a government led by Gadi Eisenkot are facing significant obstacles, particularly regarding coalition stability and the participation of Haredi parties. Despite receiving recommendations from 19 out of 67 MKs, including Arab parties, Eisenkot's path to a 61-seat majority is complicated by deep-seated disagreements on key issues.
Haredi sources indicate that while Avigdor Lieberman has reportedly removed his veto on cooperating with Haredi parties, and contacts are underway, the commitment of Shas to join an Eisenkot government remains uncertain. These sources suggest that Aryeh Deri's recommendation for Benjamin Netanyahu, rather than Eisenkot, signals a reluctance from Shas to engage with Eisenkot's bloc. Without Shas, the "change bloc" and United Torah Judaism only reach 55 seats.
Further complicating matters, Lieberman firmly opposes any government reliant on the support or abstention of Arab parties, a stance that clashes with the potential need for such support to form a minority government. Haredi parties are expected to vote against a minority government backed by Arab parties, mirroring Lieberman's position and potentially thwarting this alternative route for Eisenkot.
Eisenkot has outlined four principles for his government, including recognition of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, acceptance of the Declaration of Independence, mandatory national or civil service, and designating Hamas as a terrorist organization. However, these principles do not resolve the core conflict between Haredi demands for a law regulating yeshiva students' status and the secular bloc's insistence on significant conscription and equal burden-sharing.
Should Eisenkot fail, Lieberman is seen as a potential candidate for the next attempt to form a government. Eisenkot is expected to receive the mandate soon and must bridge the gap between parties with conflicting demands on coalition composition and policy.
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