Rabbi Calls for Broad Zionist Unity Government to End Political Boycotts

The Rosh Yeshiva, Rosh Yeshiva of Ma'ale Gilboa, is urging leaders of both political camps to set aside boycotts and disputes to establish a broad and egalitarian Zionist unity government with a rotation in leadership. Speaking to Arutz 7, he argued that the election results do not empower any single camp to decide alone and highlighted the need for a conscription law as a central task for such a government.

The Rosh Yeshiva stated, "If I had the power, I would go out to the market and cry out loudly: This is the time for a Zionist unity government." He envisioned rallying a "million-strong march" to the Knesset, calling on elected officials to "get off the trees, annul vows, put aside hatreds and boycotts, and together pull our common wagon out of the mud."

He believes the political stalemate reflects the deep divisions in Israeli society, compelling public representatives to reach agreements rather than seek unilateral decisions. "The election results clearly state the will of the people. The people are divided in their opinions, neither side has the ability to decide, and perhaps that is good, 'the voice of the multitude is the voice of God,'" he said.

The Rosh Yeshiva distinguished between the Jewish majority supporting the Netanyahu bloc and the civilian majority of the "Change bloc." He contended neither represents a clear Zionist majority alone. He noted the Netanyahu bloc's majority among Jewish voters includes Haredim who largely do not serve in the military or pray for the state's welfare, making it a Jewish but not necessarily a Zionist majority. Conversely, he stated the "Change bloc" has a civilian majority including Arab citizens, who, while having equal rights, are not necessarily partners in the Zionist endeavor.

He emphasized the moral weight of sharing the security burden, especially during ongoing conflict. "Democratically, the votes of all citizens are equal, but morally, especially when Israel is in a continuous state of war, there seems to be broad agreement that one who does not share the security burden, and the public they represent does not pay the harsh prices of war, their right to stand at the helm of the state can be morally questioned," he asserted.

The Rosh Yeshiva sharply criticized the issue of Haredi conscription, citing warnings from security officials about manpower shortages in the IDF. He called the avoidance of military service by a large segment of the Jewish population a "screaming moral and Jewish distortion." He questioned the notion that Torah study provides spiritual protection exempting individuals from security efforts, drawing a parallel to Haredim seeking the best doctors.

He also criticized the "Change bloc's" attempts to reach political understandings with Haredi parties on conscription, deeming it an erosion of public trust. "The pathetic attempts by the 'Change bloc' to reach understandings with the Haredi parties are eroding the remnants of our trust in our elected officials. We watch in amazement how a value-based, conscientious issue, which is truly vital to us, suddenly becomes a political bargaining chip," he said.

The Rosh Yeshiva proposed a broad Zionist government to advance a meaningful conscription law, suggesting a limited exemption for Torah scholars, though he views it as a mitzvah war. He believes a broad government could also resolve other disputes, such as establishing an inquiry committee for the October 7th events and the judicial reform. He insisted such a government must be egalitarian with a legally anchored rotation in leadership.

Acknowledging mutual distrust, the Rosh Yeshiva stressed that forming a government requires overcoming it. "True, each side has arguments, more or less justified, why cooperation with the other side is impossible and why their side should, of course, have primacy and a larger share in such a government. But this is an emergency hour and this is the great test for the leadership of both sides to reach a fair agreement for a truly egalitarian government," he stated.

He warned against further elections, estimating their cost at three to four billion shekels without significantly altering the political balance. Such elections, he argued, would be a "disgrace of unparalleled proportions," deepening societal rifts and diverting funds from security, health, and welfare. The Rosh Yeshiva concluded that while extremist voices on both sides might oppose a unity government, the broad Zionist public understands it is the only way forward.