Shas Divided: Deri's Loyalty to Netanyahu Clashes With Rabbinical Leadership's Agenda
Shas party leader Aryeh Deri faces a conflict between loyalty to Benjamin Netanyahu and the Shas rabbinical leadership's potential willingness to join a Gadi Eisenkot-led government. The rabbinical leadership may consider cooperation if Eisenkot offers concessions on conscription and yeshiva funding, potentially requiring a softened conscription law. If Shas joins, Avigdor Lieberman might demand a rotation in the prime minister role. Shas's decision could be pivotal for Eisenkot's ability to form a coalition without Arab parties.
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- Shas party leader Aryeh Deri is reportedly loyal to Benjamin Netanyahu, but rabbinical leaders may seek a conscription deal with Gadi Eisenkot.
- A softened conscription law, possibly with low recruitment targets, is a key demand for Haredi parties to join a coalition.
- Avigdor Lieberman may demand a rotation in the prime minister's office if he joins a coalition with Haredi parties.
- Shas's internal decision between Deri's loyalty and rabbinical demands could determine if Eisenkot can form a government.
- The formation of a government without Arab parties depends heavily on the Haredi parties' agreement.
The Shas party faces a significant internal dilemma that could determine the fate of a potential government led by Gadi Eisenkot. While party leader Aryeh Deri reportedly wishes to remain loyal to Benjamin Netanyahu, elements within the Shas rabbinical leadership may consider a conscription arrangement with a "change bloc" government. This internal division within Shas is a key factor in whether Eisenkot can form a government without Arab parties, potentially including Yisrael Beiteinu, Yahadut HaTorah, and Shas.
Deri understands the strong support for Netanyahu among Shas voters and the political cost of joining an Eisenkot-led government. However, the rabbinical leadership might adopt a different perspective. If an Eisenkot government is willing to provide solutions for the conscription issue, yeshiva budgets, and other needs of the ultra-Orthodox public, they might consider cooperation. This creates a central question for Shas: whether Deri's political considerations or the rabbinical leadership's focus on the interests of the Torah world will prevail.
A potential compromise on the conscription law for yeshiva students is at the heart of negotiations. It is estimated that the Haredi parties would struggle to support a law with significant sanctions or strict quotas. To gain their support, a significantly softened conscription law, possibly with lower recruitment targets and agreements with the rabbinical leadership, might be necessary. An example cited is a previous proposal from the "change government" era that aimed for around 1,500 Haredi recruits.
Even if the Haredi parties agree to join, Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu may demand a rotation in the prime minister's office with Eisenkot. This demand could be framed as compensation for agreeing to a coalition with Haredi parties, with whom Lieberman has previously opposed cooperation on conscription issues.
Ultimately, Eisenkot's path to forming a government hinges on decisions within the Haredi parties, particularly Shas. If the rabbinical leadership prioritizes concessions on conscription and yeshiva funding over loyalty to Netanyahu, it could open a path for Eisenkot. Conversely, if Deri maintains Shas's commitment to Netanyahu, Eisenkot's options will be significantly limited.
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