Lieberman Denies Reports of Deal with Ultra-Orthodox Parties

Channel 13 reported initial understandings between Yisrael Beiteinu party leader Avigdor Lieberman and leaders of the United Torah Judaism party. These understandings reportedly included easing conscription for yeshiva students, halting arrests of draft dodgers, and granting the ultra-Orthodox party the Interior and Housing ministries. The aim was to bring these parties into the "change bloc" to form a new government.

The proposed deal also involved fast-tracking legislation to stop the arrest of draft-evading Haredim and forming a committee to re-examine military and civilian service for all segments of Israeli society. In return, United Torah Judaism would receive the Interior and Housing portfolios, giving them significant influence over local governance and housing policies.

However, negotiations reportedly faced obstacles over the weekend due to internal disagreements within the "change bloc" and power struggles, leading to a temporary halt in official contacts. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly working to thwart these understandings by arranging direct meetings with rabbis leading United Torah Judaism to keep them within the right-wing bloc.

Lieberman's office denied the reports, with the party leader calling claims of mediators and contacts "lies and slander." He denied any direct or indirect talks regarding freezing the law on arresting draft dodgers. Lieberman stated that reports of concessions on the conscription law showed a lack of understanding of his position, emphasizing that any conscription law must pass Supreme Court scrutiny.

Lieberman accused media outlets of a coordinated campaign to tarnish his image and pave the way for a minority government supported by parties he claimed support Hamas. He suggested such a government would be short-lived, allowing Netanyahu to return to power for four years with a 70-member Knesset coalition.

These developments occur amid rising tensions between Lieberman and Yesh Atid party head Gadi Eisenkot regarding the formation of the next government. Lieberman reportedly told associates that Eisenkot could propose a government relying on Arab party support but would face political embarrassment. Conversely, Eisenkot's associates accuse Lieberman of hindering a stable coalition due to personal interests.

Eisenkot reiterated his four conditions for joining any future government, including a law mandating service for all societal groups, a condition expected to impede reaching understandings with the ultra-Orthodox parties. The negotiations' direction is anticipated to become clearer as official government formation procedures begin, with competition to attract ultra-Orthodox parties and disagreements over the conscription law and coalition composition.