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Ultra-Orthodox Party Reportedly Told to Engage With Opposition Bloc
Rabbi Dov Lando, a prominent ultra-Orthodox leader, has reportedly instructed lawmakers from the Degel HaTorah faction of United Torah Judaism to initiate negotiations with the opposition "change bloc" to resolve the status of yeshiva students. Rabbi Lando emphasized that the party is not bound to any specific political bloc, stating that their allegiance belongs solely to the world of Torah.
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What happened
- 01Rabbi Dov Lando reportedly directed Degel HaTorah lawmakers to negotiate with the opposition "change bloc" regarding yeshiva student conscription.
- 02The opposition is exploring a minority government led by Gadi Eisenkot, which United Torah Judaism could support from the outside.
- 03Under the proposed plan, United Torah Judaism would abstain from key votes in exchange for budget and conscription agreements.
- 04The political maneuver would reportedly reduce Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc to 46 seats and increase Gadi Eisenkot's to 55.
- 05United Torah Judaism chairman Yaakov Asher denied that any directive from Rabbi Lando had been issued to the party.
- 06Avigdor Lieberman remains opposed to participating in any government coalition alongside ultra-Orthodox parties.
- 07Political sources and senior officials assess the chances of this complex political maneuver succeeding as very slim.
The directive comes amid reports that the opposition is exploring a political maneuver to form a minority government led by Gadi Eisenkot. Under this scenario, United Torah Judaism would provide a safety net by abstaining from key votes, including the swearing-in of the government, in exchange for agreements on budgets and the conscription law. This move would reportedly reduce Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc to 46 seats while raising Eisenkot's to 55.
While senior United Torah Judaism officials confirmed that indirect talks are underway, the office of party chairman Yaakov Asher denied that any such directive had been given, stating they have not yet met with senior rabbis since the elections. Additionally, Avigdor Lieberman remains opposed to sitting in any coalition with ultra-Orthodox parties, and political sources assess the chances of the maneuver succeeding as very slim.
Summarized by baba from the reports of 3 newsrooms. Updated
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Ultra-Orthodox Party Reportedly Told to Engage With Opposition Bloc
