Ultra-Orthodox Parties Set Demands for Supporting Eisenkot Government

Ultra-Orthodox parties have presented a list of demands in exchange for their support of a government led by Gadi Eisenkot, including legislation for a temporary exemption from general conscription and the cancellation of arrest warrants for draft dodgers. Channel 12 reported on Monday evening that negotiations between the Haredi parties and Eisenkot, along with potential partners, are still in the exploratory phase and have not yet resulted in a concrete agreement, according to sources familiar with the details. The demands also include a temporary halt to the enforcement of general conscription for the ultra-Orthodox, the annulment of arrest warrants for those who have evaded service for a specified period, and a moratorium on penalties during a transitional phase. Furthermore, the Haredi parties require the approval of the legal advisor to the government and the legal advisor to the Knesset, as well as the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, for any conscription arrangements. These demands stem from the Haredi parties' understanding that even with election pledges, reaching understandings with Eisenkot and his partners does not guarantee overcoming legal obstacles, as they anticipate the legal advisory bodies and courts will continue to pose challenges to implementing any conscription agreement. The issue of ultra-Orthodox conscription is a major hurdle for Eisenkot's government formation efforts. His bloc currently holds 48 seats, and he could reach a majority of 61 with the support of the Shas and United Torah Judaism parties. However, the concessions required on conscription may face opposition from his potential partners. Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog tasked Eisenkot with forming the government on Sunday, granting him an initial 28-day mandate, extendable by an additional 14 days, amidst ongoing disputes over conscription and the composition of the next coalition.