Eisenkot and Lieberman Clash Over Government Formation Strategy
Translated & summarized from Al-Shams by baba
Disagreements between Gadi Eisenkot and Avigdor Lieberman over forming Israel's next government are escalating, with differing strategies on including Haredi parties. Eisenkot favors a swift government formation using Arab party support, while Lieberman prioritizes deals with Haredi factions. Haredi parties face pressure to compromise on conscription and budgets, as protracted negotiations could lead to new elections and hinder the formation of a government led by Eisenkot.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Gadi Eisenkot and Avigdor Lieberman are clashing over the strategy for forming Israel's next government.
- Eisenkot wants to quickly form a government with Arab party support, then expand the coalition.
- Lieberman prefers to secure understandings with Haredi parties before forming a government.
- Haredi parties are under pressure to compromise on conscription and budgets to avoid new elections.
- A key obstacle is the formulation of a strict conscription law for Haredi recruits.
- Disagreements could potentially prevent Eisenkot from forming a government.
Israeli media reports reveal escalating disagreements between Gadi Eisenkot, head of the Yamina party, and Avigdor Lieberman, leader of Yisrael Beiteinu, regarding the formation of the next Israeli government. Associates of Eisenkot fear Lieberman's outreach to Haredi parties is a tactic to obstruct government formation and advance his own political ambitions. Political analyst Ben Caspit suggests that those close to Eisenkot suspect Lieberman aims to leverage negotiations with Haredi parties to secure the premiership while settling political scores with Eisenkot, whose election campaign focused on making Yamina the largest party.
Conversely, circles close to Lieberman believe a government supported by Haredi parties is achievable, not ruling out the inclusion of Aryeh Deri's Shas party alongside United Torah Judaism. The core dispute centers on the sequence of steps: Eisenkot favors quickly establishing a new government with external support from Arab parties, followed by broader coalition talks. Lieberman, however, prefers reaching understandings with Haredi parties first.
Haredi parties are reportedly under significant political and financial pressure, facing stalled promises from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This makes new elections undesirable for them, prompting some factions to consider compromises on conscription and budgets. A key sticking point in negotiations is the formulation of a strict conscription law that ensures a rapid and actual increase in Haredi recruits, rather than deferred targets.
Caspit notes that Eisenkot's proposed path could be implemented within the week, while negotiations with Haredi parties might be protracted and end in deadlock, potentially leaving the "change bloc" unable to form a government. Haredi parties are in a difficult position, with diminished public standing and unmet promises from Netanyahu. Some within the Haredi community see the need to reach a settlement with Eisenkot on conscription to end the political uncertainty regarding budgets and the conscription law.
Potential scenarios include United Torah Judaism joining the government first, followed by Shas, as Deri reportedly wishes to remain influential. Shas joining later could allow Deri to avoid direct responsibility for the potential end of Netanyahu's tenure. Any agreement with Haredi parties must include a more robust conscription law than previously proposed, leading to a swift increase in Haredi enlistment.
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