Bennett Seeks Surprise Talks with Likud Amid Coalition Maneuvering

Despite maintaining public silence on negotiations with Haredi parties, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has reportedly sought to initiate talks with the Likud party. Barak Sari reported that Bennett "asked to try" to engage with Likud, though sources close to Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the National Unity party, assess the chances of a unity government with Benjamin Netanyahu as slim. This move has sparked questions among members of the "change bloc" regarding Bennett's stance, particularly on potential compromises concerning the conscription law and the inclusion of Haredi parties in a government.

Sources within the change bloc express skepticism about negotiations with Likud, deeming a unity government under Netanyahu "impossible." They note Bennett's quiet approach to the sensitive issues involving Haredi parties, contrasting it with his continued public emphasis on the importance of soldiers and equal burden-sharing. This perceived discrepancy between his silence on Haredi coalition matters and his vocal stance on military service has fueled uncertainty about his political direction.

Bennett himself recently posted on Facebook about prioritizing the transfer of budgets from draft dodgers to soldiers in the upcoming term, but has not publicly detailed his position on potential compromises with Haredi parties during coalition talks. Suspicion towards Bennett is not new; his party has maintained a low media profile throughout the coalition negotiations.

Negotiators from Likud and National Unity are scheduled to meet to explore the possibility of a national unity government. This meeting occurs amidst Netanyahu's efforts to keep Likud in the coalition picture and prevent Eisenkot from forming a government without his party. A previous meeting was canceled, but Netanyahu and Eisenkot held a two-hour policy and security update meeting on Thursday.

The core disagreement persists: Eisenkot aims to form a government under his leadership and is unwilling to return Netanyahu to the premiership, while Likud seeks a broad unity government. Eisenkot has also stated he will not negotiate with Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit, whereas Netanyahu wishes to include his political allies, including Religious Zionism, in a wider government. An option of Likud joining an Eisenkot-led government without a rotation, possibly with a special status for Netanyahu, has been discussed but is not a formal proposal and Netanyahu's agreement is unknown.

Meanwhile, Eisenkot continues coalition talks that include Haredi parties, with the conscription law and yeshiva students' status remaining key obstacles. The article notes that the chances for unity remain low.