Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef Calls Netanyahu Untrustworthy, Signals Possible Support for Gadi Eizenkot

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, spiritual leader of the Shas party and former Chief Rabbi of Israel, privately labeled Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as "a liar who cannot be trusted," according to a report by Galei Tzahal on Sunday. Yosef criticized Netanyahu for deceiving the public over the military conscription law and suggested that Shas might back former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot in the upcoming elections. Publicly, Yosef expressed skepticism about Netanyahu's potential for repentance, stating, "There is no chance Netanyahu will repent," while adding that Eizenkot "might repent."

Yosef praised Eizenkot as a good, warm Jew who respects Torah scholars and noted that Eizenkot’s grandmother voted for Shas and hoped he would become a rabbi. He indicated that Shas could support Eizenkot as the next prime minister and hoped that the United Torah Judaism party would join this support.

Responding to Yosef’s remarks, Eizenkot told Galei Tzahal that he welcomes positive comments but emphasized that he would only partner with parties that accept three core principles: Israel as a Jewish, democratic, and liberal state; adherence to the values of the Declaration of Independence; and acceptance of mandatory military and national service. He stressed that there would be no compromises on conscription, even if it leads to additional elections. Eizenkot criticized Netanyahu’s recent concessions on conscription laws, saying they weaken Israel and the IDF.

Eizenkot also highlighted Shas’s significant contribution to military service and described the party as broadly Zionist, contrasting it with non-Zionist parties. He expressed respect for Shas leader Aryeh Deri’s security understanding. Meanwhile, Shas has declared it is not committed to the right-wing bloc unless laws on Torah study and the freezing of arrests are passed. The party’s official publication recently warned against diluting the Basic Law on Torah Study, viewing it as essential for the Torah world.