Lieberman Shifts Stance on Haredim to Block Netanyahu's Return
Translated & summarized from Cursorinfo by baba
Avigdor Lieberman has eased his stance on ultra-Orthodox demands regarding military service to aid Gadi Eisenkot in forming a government, aiming to prevent Benjamin Netanyahu's return to power. Lieberman's party lifted its veto, allowing direct negotiations with the Haredi faction. Analyst Sofi Ron-Moriyah suggests this is a strategic move, with both sides fearing new elections. If a government isn't formed, Eisenkot may lead a transitional one.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Avigdor Lieberman removed his veto on negotiations with ultra-Orthodox parties to help Gadi Eisenkot form a government.
- Analyst Sofi Ron-Moriyah believes Lieberman's concession aims to prevent Benjamin Netanyahu from returning to power.
- United Torah Judaism is willing to discuss military conscription exemption after a government is formed.
- Both negotiating parties and politicians show a high level of aversion to the prospect of new elections.
- If coalition talks fail, Gadi Eisenkot is expected to lead a transitional government, not Netanyahu.
Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, has signaled a willingness to compromise with ultra-Orthodox parties to facilitate the formation of a new government. This shift follows Lieberman's decision to lift his veto, granting Gadi Eisenkot, the lead negotiator, greater latitude in discussions with Yaakov Asher, head of the Haredi faction United Torah Judaism. United Torah Judaism has stated it is prepared to discuss the military conscription exemption law after a government is formed.
According to Sofi Ron-Moriyah, an analyst for Maariv, Lieberman's concession is not an end in itself but a strategic move to prevent Benjamin Netanyahu from returning to power. Ron-Moriyah suggests a temporary arrangement, with a promise of a permanent law later, could be the path forward. This might draw from a 2018 bill that the Supreme Court overturned in 2024. Knesset legal advisor Shagit Apik explained that only a government bill, not a private one, can be introduced on this matter.
Ron-Moriyah posits that Netanyahu's recent speech about division, intended to disrupt coalition talks, has backfired. The analyst believes this rhetoric may increase Arab voter turnout and simultaneously reduce Netanyahu's chances of preventing Eisenkot from forming a government now. Lieberman, whom the Haredim view as their primary adversary, is now directly engaging with Asher, stating his goal is to prevent the "destruction of the Third Temple," which he equates with Netanyahu's return to leadership.
Lieberman does not intend to become prime minister but, as a key player, may seek a significant portfolio, possibly defense. Ron-Moriyah attributes the participants' readiness for compromise to a shared fear of new elections, rating Eisenkot's and Lieberman's aversion at 10 out of 10, Yair Golan's at 8, and United Torah Judaism's at 8.
United Torah Judaism believes the current situation will persist until at least June, making a temporary arrangement with the prospect of a future law more advantageous than risking new elections. If a government cannot be formed, Ron-Moriyah suggests Eisenkot, not Netanyahu, would lead a transitional government, provided coalition talks conclude successfully in the coming weeks.
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