Bennett Silent as Eisenkot Faces Dilemma Over Haredi Party Inclusion
Translated & summarized from Al-Shams by baba
Naftali Bennett remains silent as Gadi Eisenkot navigates the potential inclusion of Haredi parties in his government, a move that challenges Bennett's election pledges on military conscription. The "Yahadut HaTorah" bloc demands guarantees on exempting Haredim from service as a condition for joining. Knesset members from Bennett's list are divided, while Eisenkot and Avigdor Lieberman express confidence in forming a stable government.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Naftali Bennett is silent on Haredi party inclusion in Gadi Eisenkot's potential government, despite prior pledges.
- The "Yahadut HaTorah" bloc demands guarantees for Haredi exemption from military service to join the government.
- Members of Bennett's 'B'Yachad' list are conflicted between campaign promises and potential Haredi coalition partners.
- Avigdor Lieberman had previously agreed to a law exempting Haredim from conscription, with judicial review caveats.
- Gadi Eisenkot's attempt to cooperate with Haredi parties on a Knesset speaker change was rejected.
The potential inclusion of Haredi parties in a government being formed by Gadi Eisenkot presents a political challenge for Naftali Bennett, head of the 'B'Yachad' list, who remains silent on ongoing negotiations. This is despite his election campaign's focus on drafting Haredim into the Israeli military. The "Yahadut HaTorah" bloc is conditioning its support for Eisenkot's government on a settlement regarding the status of Haredi Torah scholars. The "Hamodia" newspaper, mouthpiece for the "Agudat Yisrael" party, stated that the bloc seeks guarantees for the agreement's implementation, not just written pledges. "Agudat Yisrael," which, along with "Degel HaTorah," forms the "Yahadut HaTorah" bloc in the Knesset, is insisting on this condition as part of talks about joining the next government.
New Knesset members from the 'B'Yachad' list have addressed the possibility of Haredi parties joining Eisenkot's government, contrasting with Bennett's silence. Their statements revealed a political quandary for the list, caught between campaign pledges to halt funding for Haredi institutions and citizens refusing military service, and the prospect of partnership with Haredi parties in government. The "Yahadut HaTorah" bloc had previously declared its willingness to join the government if a law exempting Haredim from conscription was passed. This followed negotiations with Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the 'Yisrael Beiteinu' party, who agreed to such a law, provided it would not be nullified by the Supreme Court.
Knesset member Liran Avishai Ben-Horin of the 'B'Yachad' list stated that "silence does not mean agreement on any issue." She added, "We will form a government in closed rooms, and in the meantime, all options will remain open.
In political maneuvers, Eisenkot approached the Haredi parties today, proposing they join a bid to change the Knesset speaker during the opening session of the new term tomorrow, as an initial attempt at cooperation. However, the "Yahadut HaTorah" bloc rejected the proposal, and the Shas party was not expected to agree. Meanwhile, Eisenkot and Lieberman expressed "confidence in the ability to form a stable government that will last four years" following a meeting.
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