Haredim Move Beyond Netanyahu's Calculations: Unity Government Among Secret Options

Hebrew newspaper "Maariv" revealed that Haredi parties in Israel are exploring, behind the scenes, pushing for the formation of a national unity government bringing together Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yesh Atid leader Gadi Eisenkot, amidst stalled political calculations.

These moves come as Netanyahu faces difficulties preventing Haredi parties from joining a potential government led by Eisenkot, especially given the lack of a clear political alternative he can offer to keep his allies within his current governmental camp.

According to the newspaper, a unity government represents the central option presented to Netanyahu at this stage; however, this path still lacks practical indicators, given Eisenkot's reluctance to study it.

This scenario is obstructed by disagreements regarding Eisenkot's public refusal to sit with Netanyahu, alongside both parties' insistence on holding the premiership, making reaching an agreement on rotating the position a complex task, even in later stages.

According to Haredi sources, discussions are taking place within Haredi circles about the possibility of exerting pressure on Netanyahu and Eisenkot to push them toward forming a unity government, as Haredi parties believe such a government could allow settling conscription issues and budgets, and avoiding new elections.

In contrast, Haredi parties fear the cost of going to early elections, and what may result in additional months without resolving the status of yeshiva students, or reaching a solution to the budget crisis, amid the ongoing law enforcement crisis and arrests related to military service evasion. Moreover, the possibility of increasing their representation in the next Knesset will not solve the urgent problems they face.

In a related context, "Maariv" reported that senior officials in the right-wing camp said the Israeli army recently reduced the pace of arresting Haredim who have fallen behind on military service, to avoid harming Eisenkot's efforts to form a government.

The newspaper quoted these officials as saying: "The Israeli army has recently reduced the pace of arresting those falling behind on service, and is carrying out these arrests at a lower rate, so as not to hinder Eisenkot's efforts to form the government."

Negotiations within the change camp remain far from decisive, as the United Torah Judaism party expresses reservations about joining Eisenkot's government alone without Shas, while the latter's leader Aryeh Deri has not yet decided his stance on participating in this move.

The newspaper indicated that the delay gives Netanyahu extra time to continue his efforts to persuade Haredi parties to stay out of Eisenkot's government, while these parties find themselves facing two options; either waiting for a political alternative whose chances of formation are unclear, or joining a government where they fear losing their influence.

In this framework, Eisenkot and his close associates seek to proceed with negotiations with United Torah Judaism first, with the possibility of the Unified Arab List (Ra'am) abstaining from voting on the formation of the government, provided that Shas joins at a later stage. In contrast, Avigdor Lieberman prefers Shas joining the coalition from the beginning.

One obstacle to United Torah Judaism's joining lies in the party's fears that secular and liberal parties participating in the government will later adopt policies conflicting with its demands, even if understandings are reached at the outset.

Haredi concern focuses on the possibility of joining the government without Shas, which would make United Torah Judaism the sole Haredi partner in it. In case disputes arise regarding the conscription law or legislation related to religion and state, the party's ability to bind other partners to agreements may be limited; therefore, it attaches great importance to Shas's joining, allowing the formation of a Haredi front capable of confronting any steps incompatible with its demands.

At present, the delay of Haredi parties in deciding their stance serves Netanyahu, as the non-commitment of United Torah Judaism and Shas to join Eisenkot's government hinders his progress in forming it; however, the time he gains in this confrontation does not resolve the dilemma he himself faces, namely the difficulty of securing a majority to form an alternative government.