Netanyahu Meets With Haredi MK, Likud Claims Bloc of Change Blocked
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met late at night with MK Yaakov Asher of United Torah Judaism, with Likud claiming to have prevented Haredi parties from joining a potential government led by Gadi Eisenkot. Both of Eisenkot's main coalition-building paths, one with Haredi parties and another with Arab parties, are now facing significant obstacles. Shas reaffirmed its support for Netanyahu, while Asher outlined strict conditions for Haredi participation in any government.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Netanyahu met with MK Yaakov Asher, aiming to prevent Haredi parties joining a Gadi Eisenkot government.
- Likud claims success in blocking Haredi parties from joining the "Change Bloc" led by Gadi Eisenkot.
- Haredi parties demand passage of a conscription law and other conditions before joining any government.
- The "Change Bloc's" alternative of relying on Arab parties is also reportedly stalled due to criticism of Avigdor Lieberman.
- Shas officially declared continued support for Benjamin Netanyahu and the right-wing bloc.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held an extensive late-night meeting at his office with Member of Knesset Yaakov Asher of United Torah Judaism, in an effort to prevent the Haredi parties from joining a potential government led by Gadi Eisenkot. According to a report on Channel 12's "Central Edition," Likud officials believe their efforts have succeeded in halting this move. The party claims they convinced the senior United Torah Judaism figure not to relinquish their central political asset, support for forming a government, without immediate compensation.
Meanwhile, Eisenkot's two main avenues for forming a coalition are facing significant obstacles. A major hurdle is the legal and technical limitation concerning the Haredi parties' demand to advance a conscription law before the government is formed. This appears nearly impossible due to tight timelines and legal opinions. Consequently, negotiations are becoming much longer and more complex.
The alternative of relying on Arab parties is also stalled. The option of forming a rapid government with external support from Arab parties has hit a wall. Sources within the "Change Bloc" have sharply criticized Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman, asserting that his statements and policies are "daily eliminating the possibility" of an agreement with Arab parties.
Shas officially declared its continued support for the right-wing bloc and Netanyahu, stating that based on the directive of the Council of Torah Sages, they recommended Netanyahu to form the government after he committed to passing a law regulating the status of yeshiva students. Shas reiterated that they are not negotiating with any other party.
This statement followed MK Yaakov Asher's presentation of three non-negotiable conditions for joining any government: regulating the status of yeshiva students, ensuring the independence of Haredi education, and maintaining the status quo on religion and state. Asher emphasized that without these conditions, they would not participate.
Despite these difficulties, sources in the "Change Bloc" indicate that negotiations with the Haredi parties are in "very advanced" stages, and that the Haredi parties are willing to pass the conscription law only after the new government is sworn in. This leaves Eisenkot's primary avenues for forming a government, cooperation with Haredi parties or reliance on Arab parties, appearing stalled and complicated, while Likud claims credit for blocking the move.
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