Lieberman Drops Veto on Haredi Parties, Eyes Rotation Government with Eisenkot

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Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman has removed his veto on cooperating with Haredi parties, opening the door for coalition talks with United Torah Judaism and Shas. Negotiations are expected to center on Lieberman's 2018 draft law proposal. The "Change Bloc" sees potential in this shift, while also considering a rotation government between Gadi Eisenkot and Lieberman. An alternative minority government led by Eisenkot is also being explored, though Lieberman has voiced concerns.

הידיעה ב-6 שורות · תקציר של baba

Avigdor Lieberman has lifted his veto on cooperating with Haredi parties, enabling coalition talks.
Negotiations may be based on Lieberman's 2018 draft law proposal concerning Haredi conscription.
United Torah Judaism's decision not to recommend Netanyahu is seen as a sign of seriousness.
A rotation government between Gadi Eisenkot and Avigdor Lieberman is being considered.
Shas remains aligned with Benjamin Netanyahu, complicating coalition efforts.
A minority government led by Eisenkot with external Arab party support is another option.

Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, has lifted his long-standing political veto on cooperating with Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties, signaling a significant shift in coalition-building efforts. This move allows his "Change Bloc" partners to begin negotiations with the Haredi factions, potentially paving the way for a 61-member Knesset government comprising the Change Bloc and the Haredi parties.

Lieberman had previously pledged not to sit in a government with Haredi parties, but the current political reality and the difficulty in forming a coalition without additional partners have led to a reevaluation. The primary basis for potential agreements is reportedly Lieberman's own 2018 draft law on the draft, which offered a more lenient approach to Haredi yeshiva students than subsequent proposals. This framework, which included economic sanctions on yeshivas only after three years and no personal sanctions on draft-dodging students, could bridge the long-standing divide on the sensitive conscription issue.

The "Change Bloc" views the United Torah Judaism party's decision not to recommend Benjamin Netanyahu as president as a sign of seriousness in negotiations. However, securing a 61-seat majority would also require the support of Shas, which has so far continued to coordinate with Likud and recommended Netanyahu. Despite opposition from some Shas spiritual leaders, there is an expectation that a positive decision from Rabbi Dov Lando, the spiritual leader of Degel HaTorah, could influence Shas's stance.

Amidst these coalition talks, the possibility of a rotation agreement for the prime minister's seat between Gadi Eisenkot and Avigdor Lieberman is being considered, though this is purely speculative at this stage. The Change Bloc is also exploring an alternative path: a minority government led by Eisenkot, which would rely on external support from Arab parties. Lieberman has expressed reservations about this option, citing concerns about its long-term stability.