Netanyahu Warns Haredi Parties Against Joining Eisenkot Government
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is urging Haredi parties not to join a potential government led by Gadi Eisenkot, warning they will be "used and thrown away" after the budget's approval. Netanyahu's camp fears such a government would disregard Haredi interests on key issues like the draft law. Haredi leaders are taking the warnings seriously but are asking Netanyahu for a viable alternative, questioning his ability to form a unity government. The situation remains fluid, with internal deliberations ongoing within the Haredi parties and coalition negotiations.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Benjamin Netanyahu is warning Haredi parties against joining Gadi Eisenkot's "change bloc" government.
- Netanyahu fears Haredi parties will be "used and thrown away" after the budget is approved.
- Haredi parties are taking warnings seriously but demand a concrete alternative from Netanyahu.
- Concerns exist about a government potentially disregarding Haredi interests on the draft law.
- Shas's potential absence from an early coalition is a significant worry for United Torah Judaism.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is actively engaging with rabbis and community leaders to dissuade Haredi parties from joining a potential government led by Gadi Eisenkot. Netanyahu is warning that the "change bloc" could proceed without them after the budget is approved, leaving the Haredi parties vulnerable and without leverage. He argues that these parties would be "used and thrown away" once the government is established and no longer dependent on their support.
Netanyahu's camp is concerned that a government reliant on the "change bloc" might renege on commitments regarding the draft law and advance legislation on religion and state contrary to Haredi positions. They fear that if Haredi parties join a government that also relies on external support from Arab parties like Ra'am and the Joint List, their ability to influence policy would be significantly diminished, especially if they were the sole Haredi partner without Shas.
Within the Haredi community, particularly in United Torah Judaism, there is apprehension about joining a government without Shas, fearing they would be the only Haredi faction facing secular and liberal parties. This could limit their power to enforce agreements on issues like the draft law or religious legislation. While they are taking Netanyahu's warnings seriously, Haredi leaders are demanding to know what alternative he can offer, questioning his ability to form a unity government and whether Eisenkot or other "change bloc" parties would agree to such a scenario.
Sources indicate that Rabbi Dov Lando, a prominent figure, does not feel automatically bound to the right-wing bloc and is evaluating options based on the needs of the Haredi public. Netanyahu's strategy involves reaching out to additional rabbis, including those considered second-tier, who may have a stronger affinity for the right-wing bloc due to its perceived closeness to religious tradition.
Meanwhile, Eisenkot's camp aims to secure United Torah Judaism's support first, with the possibility of Ra'am abstaining on the government's formation vote, and then bring Shas in later. However, Avigdor Lieberman prefers Shas to be part of the coalition from the outset, while Arieh Deri has not yet made a decision.