Ultra-Orthodox Parties Weigh Options Amidst Coalition Formation Stalemate
Translated & summarized from Cursorinfo by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to prevent ultra-Orthodox parties from joining Gadi Eisenkot's potential government, while struggling to form his own coalition. Ultra-Orthodox parties are considering pressuring both leaders for a national unity government to address conscription and budget issues. "United Torah Judaism" refuses to join Eisenkot without Shas, fearing a loss of influence. The delays benefit Netanyahu but don't solve his coalition-building problem.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Benjamin Netanyahu is attempting to prevent ultra-Orthodox parties from joining Gadi Eisenkot's government.
- Ultra-Orthodox parties may pressure Netanyahu and Eisenkot to form a national unity government.
- United Torah Judaism will not join Eisenkot's government without the Shas party.
- The IDF has reportedly reduced arrests of ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers to aid Eisenkot's coalition efforts.
- Delays in ultra-Orthodox parties' decisions benefit Netanyahu but don't solve his coalition problem.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly attempting to dissuade ultra-Orthodox parties from joining a potential government led by Gadi Eisenkot, but faces challenges in forming an alternative coalition himself. A national unity government remains Netanyahu's primary option, though there is currently no indication Eisenkot is open to this. Complicating matters further are the public stance of Eisenkot's "Yashar!" party leader against joining Netanyahu's government and both politicians' aspirations for the premiership, with rotation agreements also posing difficulties.
Sources within ultra-Orthodox circles suggest discussions are underway about pressuring both Netanyahu and Eisenkot towards a national unity government. This coalition is seen by the Haredi community as a means to resolve issues concerning military conscription and budget allocations, while also averting new elections. The prospect of repeated elections is concerning for these parties, fearing prolonged periods without resolving the legal status of yeshiva students, budget problems, and ongoing issues with law enforcement and arrests.
Senior figures from the right-wing bloc claim that the IDF has recently reduced arrests of ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers to avoid hindering Eisenkot's government formation efforts. Meanwhile, negotiations within the change bloc are ongoing. The "United Torah Judaism" party is unwilling to join Eisenkot's government without the Shas party. Aryeh Deri has not yet made a final decision on Shas's participation. This delay benefits Netanyahu by giving him more time to persuade the ultra-Orthodox parties, but it does not solve his own challenge of assembling a majority for an alternative coalition.
"United Torah Judaism" fears joining a coalition without Shas, which would leave them as the sole ultra-Orthodox partner. This could limit their ability to block secular and liberal coalition partners from advancing policies contrary to Haredi demands, particularly on issues like military conscription and religion-state legislation. Eisenkot's team is prioritizing talks with "United Torah Judaism," considering the possibility of the Arab party Ra'am abstaining during the government formation vote, with Shas potentially joining later. In contrast, Avigdor Lieberman prefers Shas to be involved from the outset.
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