Energy Minister Calls for National Unity Government Amid Opposition-Haredi Talks
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Energy Minister Eli Cohen called for a national unity government, citing challenges facing Israel and criticizing opposition parties' alleged dealings with Haredi factions. He accused the opposition of hypocrisy and of planning to abandon Haredi parties after using them to oust the current government. Cohen stressed the Likud's ideological commitment to tradition, contrasting it with perceived political maneuvering by the opposition.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Energy Minister Eli Cohen called for a national unity government to face Israel's challenges.
- Cohen accused opposition parties of hypocrisy and deception in their dealings with Haredi parties.
- He claimed the opposition would abandon Haredi parties after using them to replace the government.
- Cohen urged against relying on those he called a 'fifth column' within Israel.
- He highlighted the Likud's ideological commitment to religion and tradition.
Energy Minister Eli Cohen, a member of the Likud party, urged the formation of a national unity government, stating that the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, must include at least 61 lawmakers who support and identify with the State of Israel. Speaking in the Knesset corridors to Srugim correspondent Yossi Ben-Ater, Cohen emphasized the need for unity in the face of national challenges.
Cohen sharply criticized reports of opposition parties attempting to reach agreements with Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties, particularly concerning the conscription law. He labeled the opposition bloc a "deception bloc" rather than a "change bloc," accusing them of hypocrisy. "We are here in the legislature of the Jewish people, and in the legislature there must be at least 61 Knesset members who support and identify with the State of Israel," Cohen stated.
He further alleged that the opposition, after seeking to replace the right-wing government and Prime Minister Netanyahu, would ultimately abandon the Haredi parties. "After I see their statements over the last four years and their slogans on the eve of the elections, this is not the change bloc, this is the deception bloc," Cohen declared. He advised against relying on those he described as a "fifth column" within Israel and advocated for a government that upholds the land, people, and tradition of Israel.
Addressing the Haredi politicians engaged in talks with the opposition, Cohen recalled "shocking statements" made by the opposition over the past four years against the Haredi public. He asserted that their goal is solely to replace the current government and then discard the Haredi parties. Cohen concluded by highlighting the Likud's ideological commitment to religion and tradition, contrasting it with what he perceived as the opposition's political opportunism, and predicted that those who remain steadfast in their values will ultimately benefit.
