Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot moved closer on Friday to a coalition strategy championed by Yisrael Beytenu chief Avigdor Liberman by deciding to prioritize talks with ultra-Orthodox parties, The Times of Israel reported.
Eisenkot, who received the first mandate from President Isaac Herzog to form a government, initially aimed to build a coalition around four Jewish-led parties in the anti-Netanyahu bloc. Those parties secured only 48 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, creating a reliance on Arab-led parties or additional partners to take office.
Liberman argued that such an arrangement would collapse quickly and strengthen Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc, urging the opposition instead to reach a 61-seat majority through agreements with Haredi factions.
United Torah Judaism had already begun exploring a deal with Eisenkot’s bloc, with party officials acknowledging preliminary contacts and setting out demands on the draft, education funding and religion-state issues. Shas publicly maintained its support for Netanyahu. Yashar plans to meet representatives of Netanyahu’s Likud party next week.
“It is encouraging to learn of the flexibility of all political actors on the subject of conscription,” United Torah Judaism lawmaker Yaakov Asher said.
Draft Exemption Debates Within United Torah Judaism
Discussions have emerged within United Torah Judaism regarding whether to enter an Eisenkot-led government without securing a guaranteed military exemption for yeshiva students. Haredi representatives sought an interim one-year halt to mandatory enlistment, a freeze on arrests, and the removal of sanctions against draft evaders.
Some party members saw joining the coalition as a way to secure positions and funding while normalizing Haredi parties outside Netanyahu’s bloc. Other factions within UTJ considered demanding that all 48 lawmakers in Eisenkot’s bloc commit to supporting military service exemptions and an override clause to protect the legislation from High Court rulings.
Liberman defended his willingness to negotiate with the ultra-Orthodox parties despite his previous insistence on universal conscription. Pointing to the 2018 conscription bill drafted by the Israel Defense Forces, Liberman argued that compromise was necessary to avert further elections.
Liberman rejected forming a government dependent on Arab-led parties such as Ra’am and the Joint List, asserting that such a coalition would undermine national security.
“I’m more optimistic than I was on the Wednesday morning after the election results,” said Yair Golan, Israel’s main left-wing leader.
Eisenkot suggests civilian work for mandatory service integration
Eisenkot stated he remained committed to mandatory service for all citizens while suggesting civilian work as an integration path. Final decisions within United Torah Judaism remain subject to the influence of spiritual leader Rabbi Dov Lando, with some party members viewing the Eisenkot negotiations as a temporary mechanism to bypass Netanyahu before potentially bringing down the government later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Gadi Eisenkot change his coalition strategy?
Eisenkot shifted his focus to the ultra-Orthodox parties because the four Jewish-led parties in the anti-Netanyahu bloc only secured 48 seats, leaving them short of a 61-seat majority without relying on Arab-led parties or additional partners.
What interim arrangement are Haredi representatives seeking?
United Torah Judaism officials are pursuing a one-year halt to mandatory yeshiva student enlistment, a freeze on arrests of draft evaders, and the removal of existing sanctions.
How does Avigdor Liberman defend talks with ultra-Orthodox parties?
Liberman maintains that compromise is necessary to avoid another round of elections and end Netanyahu’s tenure, emphasizing that dialogue does not mean abandoning core principles on national security.
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