Cracks in the Right-Wing Camp: Haredim Open Door to Negotiations with Eisenkot

Israeli media revealed an indication from one of the Haredi parties within the ruling right-wing coalition led by Benjamin Netanyahu, showing support for a government formed by opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot, following the announcement of the final results of the Israeli Knesset elections.

More than one Israeli media outlet reported information regarding the readiness of the Haredi "United Torah Judaism" party, led by Yaakov Asher, to engage in negotiations concerning support for a government formed by Eisenkot, who faces obstacles in forming a stable government.

The "United Torah Judaism" party, which represents "Ashkenazi Haredim" in Israel, secured 7 seats in the Knesset after vote counting was completed. Its joining the opposition camp would enhance Eisenkot's chances of forming the next government and reduce Netanyahu's ability to maneuver in forming governments.

However, the Haredi party insists on the exemption of religious Jews from service in the Israeli army, a step fully rejected by Eisenkot, which was one of the main headlines of his election campaign presented as an alternative to Netanyahu.

The "Yedioth Ahronoth" newspaper stated that "the Haredi party expressed its willingness to negotiate regarding joining Eisenkot's government."

The Hebrew "Maariv" newspaper noted: "Sources in the Ashkenazi Haredi party indicate their readiness to explore the possibility of holding talks with Eisenkot, particularly regarding the mandatory conscription law."

Sources from the Haredi party told the newspaper: "We believe there is room for dialogue with Eisenkot regarding the mandatory conscription law. Netanyahu has already proven his inability to meet our demands, and we will listen to what Eisenkot offers and what he is willing to commit to."

The party sources emphasize that "this is not an absolute readiness to join the coalition," clarifying that the mandatory conscription law is a fundamental condition for negotiating joining the government and coalition.

Ashkenazi Haredi parties representing Jews from Europe, such as "United Torah Judaism," and the Eastern Haredi party (Shas) representing Oriental Jews, have previously participated in three prominent Israeli governments led by the non-right-wing center and left camp in Israel.

The Haredi "Shas" party participated in Yitzhak Rabin's second government in 1992, and alongside "United Torah Judaism" in Ehud Barak's government in 1999, a government headed by the Labor Party along with the left-wing Meretz.

Both parties participated in Ehud Olmert's government in 2006 under the umbrella of the centrist "Kadima" party and the left-wing Labor Party.

The Israel Democracy Institute explains these parties' shift toward a stable alliance with the right wing by the outbreak of the Second Palestinian Intifada in 2000, when Haredi electoral bases began moving toward right-wing and nationalist ideas.

The Center states: "Benjamin Netanyahu came to cement this alliance by granting them a decisive strategic partnership ensuring the fulfillment of all their sectoral demands in exchange for absolute political loyalty to his bloc, which made their return to center or left governments in recent years complex and fraught with rejection from their constituency."