Israeli "Change Bloc" Parties to Initiate Talks With Haredi Parties
Translated & summarized from Kan News by baba
Leaders of Israel's "change bloc" parties have agreed to open negotiations with Haredi parties, proposing government support in exchange for a softened conscription law. Gadi Eisenkot will lead the talks, though Avigdor Lieberman is reportedly conducting separate discussions. The bloc aims to strengthen Haredi enlistment programs and potentially offer leniency on draft evasion penalties. Haredi parties are expected to respond to the proposal.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israeli "change bloc" leaders agreed to negotiate with Haredi parties on a softened conscription law.
- Gadi Eisenkot will lead the talks, but Avigdor Lieberman is reportedly in separate discussions.
- The proposal includes Haredi support for a government led by Eisenkot.
- The bloc plans to strengthen Haredi enlistment programs and potentially ease penalties for draft dodgers.
- Haredi parties Shas and United Torah Judaism are awaiting the response to the proposal.
Leaders of the "change bloc" parties have agreed to begin negotiations with Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties, according to a report by Kan News on Monday. In a meeting between Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yamina party, and Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, the two agreed to attempt negotiations with the Shas and United Torah Judaism parties.
Their proposal involves Haredi support for a government headed by Eisenkot in exchange for a "softened" conscription law. Both Haredi parties have presented their own proposals for a conscription framework, and the change bloc leaders are awaiting a response. While it was decided that Eisenkot would lead the outreach to the Haredi parties as the bloc's leader, there are assessments within the Yamina and Yisrael Beiteinu parties that Lieberman is conducting separate discussions with them.
Meanwhile, Knesset members from Bennett's party will seek clarification during a faction meeting on Tuesday regarding the extent of concessions the party is willing to make on the proposed conscription law. Kan News previously reported that Eisenkot's plan to potentially partner with the Haredi parties includes a quid pro quo: leniency on penalties for draft dodgers and modifications to the conscription law in return for advancing a government program to encourage Haredi enlistment.
Additionally, the party has held discussions with Haredi entrepreneurs and businesspeople to formulate a plan that would strengthen Haredi tracks within the IDF, expand Haredi settlement yeshivas, and appoint a government project manager to promote enlistment. The report also noted that yeshivas failing to report draft dodgers could face the loss of tens of millions of shekels.
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