Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef Doubts Netanyahu Will Repent, Suggests Gadi Eizenkot Might

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, a member of the Shas Council of Sages, expressed skepticism about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's potential to repent, stating, "No chance Bibi will repent." In contrast, Yosef suggested that former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot might consider returning to religious observance, saying, "Eizenkot perhaps will repent."

Yosef explained that Israel is a secular state rather than a Haredi one, a reality he attributed to "many sins." While he expressed hope that all public figures would choose the path of Torah, he acknowledged the current situation differs, noting, "We pray that everyone repents. Some have repented, others I do not believe will."

These remarks come months ahead of upcoming elections and amid tensions between Netanyahu and the Haredi parties. Recently, Netanyahu has advanced two significant initiatives with the Haredi factions: a new draft for the Basic Law on Torah Study and granting immunity from arrest. The Knesset approved bringing the Basic Law on Torah Study to a final vote next week after the Haredi parties accepted Netanyahu's proposal.