Ultra-Orthodox Leaders' Unusual Response to Netanyahu: "Eisenkot's Law Won't Be Canceled by High Court"

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly attempting to prevent the formation of a government led by Gadi Eisenkot by engaging with ultra-Orthodox parties and trying to bring Avigdor Lieberman back to the right-wing bloc. Within Netanyahu's Likud party, there are concerns that United Torah Judaism and Shas might join Eisenkot's potential government, with some even suggesting Likud lawmakers could defect to it. However, veteran ministers and Knesset members within Likud are skeptical of Netanyahu's ability to keep the ultra-Orthodox parties from joining Eisenkot's government if their demands are met. "In the current situation, we can only trust in God and hope for a miracle," some Likud sources admitted, stating Netanyahu lacks effective political tools to ensure their loyalty to the right-wing bloc. They believe that if Eisenkot offers United Torah Judaism an acceptable arrangement on the conscription issue, Netanyahu would struggle to prevent the deal.

A key figure in this concern is Rabbi Dov Lando, the spiritual leader of Degel HaTorah, who is reportedly not bound by the right-wing bloc's ideology. His stance has influenced Degel HaTorah's representatives. When Netanyahu warned that Eisenkot would not provide a conscription law, senior Haredi officials reportedly responded that "Eisenkot's conscription law, unlike your law, will not be canceled by the High Court." The Likud also fears that the ultra-Orthodox parties would not demand the conscription law be legislated before the government's formation, but rather rely on a coalition agreement, potentially easing negotiations for the change bloc. There is an assessment among some Haredi figures that an agreement with the change bloc might lead to a more legally stable conscription arrangement.

Within United Torah Judaism, there is no consensus on joining an Eisenkot government. While open to discussing conscription, reservations exist about partnering with the change bloc parties, particularly the Democrats. Commitments on Shabbat, Kashrut, conversion, and maintaining the status quo would be required. Similar reservations are heard from Agudat Yisrael representatives. Likud hopes these internal divisions will prevent a unified decision, even if a conscription agreement is reached.

Concerns also extend to Shas, with Haredi sources estimating that leader Aryeh Deri would find it difficult to oppose a decision by the Ashkenazi leadership to join a government that regularizes the status of yeshiva students. A figure in the right-wing camp warned Deri of an electoral price, stating, "If they want to see Deri join Eisenkot's left-wing government, in the next elections Shas will not pass the electoral threshold!"

Avigdor Lieberman has removed his fundamental objection to sitting with the ultra-Orthodox parties but insists he will not join a government reliant on Arab parties and demands a conscription arrangement. He sees the inclusion of United Torah Judaism and Shas as a path to a government without Netanyahu. Lieberman proposes adapting his 2018 conscription bill to post-October 7th IDF manpower needs, though no agreed text with the Haredi parties exists. Lieberman also suggested that once a 61-seat majority government is formed, it would be possible to bring over 3-4 Likud Knesset members. However, Likud sources dismiss this, claiming such attempts would fail, even mentioning David Bitan as someone in contact with Lieberman but unlikely to leave Likud.

Simultaneously, attempts by Likud elements to renew political cooperation with Lieberman have failed, as he is reportedly unwilling to sit with Netanyahu under any circumstances. These efforts to bring Lieberman back to the right-wing bloc have not changed his position.