Gadi Eizenkot Positions Himself as Alternative Leader Amid Religious Draft Law Crisis
The ongoing crisis over religious draft laws in Israel threatens to fracture Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition, while former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot carefully maintains open channels with ultra-Orthodox parties. Eizenkot distinguishes between Shas and United Torah Judaism, expressing willingness to partner with Shas if it commits to three fundamental principles, highlighting Shas’s significant Zionist components and military service among its voters. This nuanced stance positions Eizenkot as a potential coalition partner after Netanyahu, especially as ultra-Orthodox parties grow frustrated with Netanyahu’s inability to advance key religious legislation.
Netanyahu is acutely aware of the risk that ultra-Orthodox parties might abandon his bloc to join forces with Eizenkot, prompting him to strive for quick compromises on three critical fronts: the Basic Law on Torah Study, legislation to end the detention of draft evaders, and a communications law. Likud’s Ophir Katz has proposed amendments equating Torah study with military service, a symbolic change that ultra-Orthodox factions oppose, as they seek practical legal consequences.
Shas has escalated its opposition to any retreat by Likud, warning Netanyahu through its official newspaper that breaking agreements would undermine the coalition’s religious bloc. Ultra-Orthodox leaders have threatened to block all coalition legislation if the Basic Law on Torah Study is not passed as promised. The coming days are crucial in determining whether Netanyahu can hold his coalition together or if the political cost of passing controversial laws will push the ultra-Orthodox into Eizenkot’s camp, potentially triggering a dramatic political shift ahead of the 2026 elections.
