Likud Urges Haredim to Avoid Vote on Draft Law Amid Coalition Talks
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
The Likud party is reportedly urging ultra-Orthodox parties to avoid voting on a draft conscription law proposed by Gadi Eisenkot, fearing it could complicate coalition talks. While some ultra-Orthodox figures see Eisenkot's proposal as more legally stable, Netanyahu has warned against it. Meanwhile, internal divisions persist within the ultra-Orthodox parties and the "change bloc" regarding joining a potential government led by Eisenkot, leaving the formation of the next Israeli government uncertain.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Likud asks Haredi parties to avoid voting on Eisenkot's draft conscription law amid coalition talks.
- Ultra-Orthodox parties remain divided on joining a potential government led by Gadi Eisenkot.
- The "change bloc" is internally split on whether to support a minority government as a first step.
- Shas party denies any possibility of joining a government led by Eisenkot at this stage.
- Netanyahu warned Haredi leaders that Eisenkot cannot provide a draft conscription law.
- The formation of the next Israeli government remains uncertain due to ongoing negotiations and internal divisions.
The Likud party is reportedly urging ultra-Orthodox parties to refrain from voting on a draft law proposed by Gadi Eisenkot, fearing it could complicate coalition negotiations. The concern within Likud is that the ultra-Orthodox might accept Eisenkot's draft law as part of a coalition agreement without demanding it be legislated before a government is formed. This scenario could potentially ease negotiations between the "change bloc" and the ultra-Orthodox parties.
Some ultra-Orthodox figures believe a draft law agreed upon with Eisenkot might be more legally stable than one proposed by Binyamin Netanyahu. During a conversation with ultra-Orthodox leaders, Netanyahu warned that Eisenkot could not provide them with a draft law, but was reportedly told that Eisenkot's law, unlike Netanyahu's, would not be disqualified by the High Court of Justice.
Despite ongoing contacts, there is still no agreement within the United Torah Judaism party to join Eisenkot's potential government. Senior party officials emphasize that any coalition agreement must include commitments on Shabbat, kashrut, conversion, and maintaining the status quo. Reservations are being voiced by Agudat Yisrael representatives regarding joining a government with the "change bloc" parties, a division Likud hopes to exploit.
Significant gaps exist between the "change bloc's" assessments and Shas party's stated positions regarding their potential participation. "Change bloc" members believe that if agreements are reached with Degel HaTorah, Shas might also consider joining the government. However, Shas sources dismiss this, stating they currently see no possibility of joining a government led by Eisenkot, even if United Torah Judaism makes progress in its talks.
Within the "change bloc" itself, there is no consensus on how to proceed with government formation. Some factions, particularly those aligned with Yair Lapid, support giving Eisenkot full backing, including the formation of a minority government that could be expanded later. Others oppose this approach, arguing that a joint discussion of all viewpoints is needed to formulate a unified policy. Consequently, the party lacks a clear, official stance on the preferred path to forming a government.
Uncertainty also surrounds the positions of Naftali Bennett, Lapid, and their associates in other "change bloc" parties. As the new Knesset convenes, the question of who will successfully assemble a majority to form the next government remains unresolved, with negotiations with the ultra-Orthodox parties yielding no clear agreements and internal disagreements persisting within the "change bloc" regarding the strategy for government formation.
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