Liberman and Golan Rule Out Coalition With Shas Amid Isenkot's Praise for Ultra-Orthodox Party

Following mutual compliments between Shas and Gadi Isenkot, leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party Avigdor Liberman and Democratic Union head Yair Golan declared on Monday that they will not join a government including Shas. This announcement comes after former Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef remarked that while Prime Minister Netanyahu is unlikely to repent, Isenkot might. Isenkot himself praised Shas in an interview, calling it a party with Zionist elements and highlighting its significant military service among voters.

Liberman emphasized his opposition to sitting with Shas, particularly criticizing their partial exemption from military conscription. He stated, "There is a Zionist and state-oriented coalition, and the current one is anti-state, anti-Zionist, and anti-Jewish. Without a universal draft law, we will not join the coalition." Despite this, Liberman expressed respect for Isenkot, acknowledging his right to run for office and underscoring the need to replace the current government formed after October 7.

When asked about his potential role as prime minister, Liberman focused on toppling the current government and refused to commit to leadership ambitions before election results. He reiterated that his party would not cooperate with any faction in the October 7 coalition.

Yair Golan echoed Liberman’s stance on social media, asserting that none of the parties in the October 7 coalition would be part of any new government they form. Isenkot, in his recent interview, described Shas as a party that serves and integrates into the state, with broad Zionist components, and expressed conditional willingness to partner with them if they commit to three fundamental principles. He also acknowledged Shas leader Aryeh Deri’s security understanding as a member of the cabinet.