Shas Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef Signals Possible Support for Gadi Eizenkot, Calls Netanyahu a Liar

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, a member of the Shas Council of Torah Sages, revealed in a private conversation that Shas might support Gadi Eizenkot in the upcoming elections. He expressed a preference for Eizenkot over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he accused of deceit, saying, "Netanyahu deceived us on the conscription law and other matters - he is a liar and cannot be trusted." Yosef indicated that he hopes the United Torah Judaism party will also join this potential alliance and plans to publicly endorse the move closer to election day.

Rabbi Yosef praised Eizenkot as a good and warm Jew who respects Torah scholars, noting that Eizenkot's grandmother voted for Shas and wanted him to become a rabbi, which did not happen. He stated, "We can rely on him," and suggested that Shas might run with Eizenkot in the elections, supporting him as the next prime minister.

This development signals a possible realignment within the religious political bloc, with Shas and potentially United Torah Judaism distancing themselves from Netanyahu's leadership. Rabbi Yosef's comments were disclosed by Galei Tzahal (IDF Radio) and mark a notable shift in the internal dynamics of Israel's religious parties ahead of the elections.