Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef Considers Supporting Gadi Eizenkot, Accuses Netanyahu of Betrayal

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, the spiritual leader of the Shas party, has expressed in private conversations that he might publicly support Gadi Eizenkot for prime minister in the upcoming elections. This marks a significant escalation in the rift between Shas and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Yosef praised Eizenkot as a good, warm Jew who respects Torah scholars and noted that Eizenkot's grandmother voted for Shas and wished for him to become a rabbi, though that did not happen. He said, "You can trust him."

In contrast, Yosef sharply criticized Netanyahu, accusing him of breaking promises to the ultra-Orthodox community, particularly regarding the conscription law. He called Netanyahu a liar and said, "Netanyahu deceived us on the conscription law and other matters. You cannot trust him."

During his weekly sermon, Yosef also remarked on the secular nature of the state and expressed skepticism about Netanyahu's potential for repentance, stating, "Will Bibi Netanyahu repent? There is no chance. Eizenkot maybe will."

These statements come shortly after journalist Mendi Rizel revealed on "Israel HaBoker" that senior ultra-Orthodox figures are in talks with Eizenkot. Rizel reported a significant bloc within the ultra-Orthodox sector is advancing understandings with Eizenkot for the post-election period. According to a source involved in the talks, these understandings include commitments on key ultra-Orthodox issues such as budgets and the conscription law, offering "everything Netanyahu could only dream of."

This development signals a potential realignment in ultra-Orthodox political support ahead of the elections, with Rabbi Yosef openly questioning Netanyahu's reliability and endorsing Eizenkot as a viable alternative.