MK Kariv Slams Haredi Parties, Warns Against Concessions in Coalition Talks
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
MK Rabbi Gilad Kariv of the Democratic Party has strongly criticized Haredi parties, stating they have lost influence and will not receive concessions. He indicated that while exploring their inclusion in a potential alternative government, his party's priority is ousting the current "dangerous" government. Kariv emphasized "compromise, not surrender" on issues like Shabbat public transport and core curriculum studies, warning Haredi parties against expecting terms similar to those under Netanyahu. He suggested a "narrow government" as a fallback if Haredi parties refuse to compromise.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- MK Gilad Kariv stated Haredi parties have lost influence and will not receive concessions in coalition talks.
- Kariv warned Haredi parties cannot expect to receive the same benefits they got from Netanyahu.
- The "Change Bloc's" top priority is replacing the current government, which Kariv called "dangerous."
- Kariv emphasized "compromise, not surrender" on issues of religion and state.
- He suggested a "narrow government" as an alternative if Haredi parties refuse to compromise.
MK Rabbi Gilad Kariv of the Democratic Party has sharply criticized potential Haredi coalition partners, stating that his party will not "surrender" to their demands. Speaking on Radio 103fm, Kariv argued that the Haredi parties have "lost" and do not hold as much political power as they claim. He pointed to the significant coalition funds, "billions of shekels," allocated to Haredi parties annually in recent years, even as the Israeli economy faced challenges.
Kariv clarified that while the "Change Bloc" has given Gadi Eisenkot and Avigdor Lieberman "a green light" to explore including Haredi parties, the "Change Bloc's" "top priority" is replacing the current government, which he described as "dangerous for Israel." He emphasized that the guiding principle for his party is "compromise, not surrender."
The Democratic Party, along with the rest of the "Change Bloc," is united on issues of religion and state, including public transportation on Shabbat, core curriculum studies, and civil marriage. Kariv criticized the outgoing government's policies, citing Miri Regev's cancellation of permits for public transportation lines to hospitals and IDF bases on Shabbat under pressure from Haredi parties. He vowed that they would not allow such options to be blocked and stressed that Haredi parties "cannot come to the negotiation table thinking they will get what they got from Netanyahu."
Kariv also issued a veiled ultimatum to his "Change Bloc" partners, suggesting the alternative of forming a "narrow government" without the Haredi parties if negotiations fail. He stated that if Lieberman concludes that no progress can be made with the Haredi parties, they should not drag the bloc into further elections or a "fake unity government." Kariv expects Eisenkot and Lieberman to first attempt to form a broader government, but if the Haredi parties refuse to compromise, then a "narrow government" should be established.
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