Opposition party leaders spar over potential inclusion of Haredim in future coalition

Democrats’ Golan slammed after undated clip showed him saying he would sit with ultra-Orthodox if it was the only way to oust Netanyahu-led Likud and far-right; Lapid and Bennett vow no compromise on draft exemptions

Leading members of the anti-Netanyahu bloc dismissed any potential cooperation with the Knesset’s ultra-Orthodox parties in the next government on Wednesday, after two opposition party leaders appeared to open the door to cooperation despite sharply divergent views on conscription and sanctions on draft evaders.

Responding to an undated clip of the Democrats chairman Yair Golan telling party activists that he would be willing to sit with the Haredim in order to replace the current coalition, former prime minister Naftali Bennett and Opposition Leader Yair Lapid released simultaneous statements eschewing any possibility of compromise with Shas and United Torah Judaism. Golan himself stated Wednesday that the Haredim would be “outside” the next government.

“All the talk about ‘compromises with the Haredim’ is a political mistake and a moral error. After 40 years, we have a real opportunity for real change. For the first time, an opportunity has arisen to enlist young Haredi men, mandate core curriculum studies, and integrate them into the labor market,” said Lapid, insisting that such an opportunity should not be missed “for short-term political gains.”

Bennett, likewise, asserted that “Israel is at an existential moment” and “will not survive when more and more of its citizens are educated to [say] ‘we will die before we enlist,’ do not serve in the IDF, and do not join the workforce.”

“The working and serving public cannot continue to bear the economic and security burden alone. This is national suicide in slow motion, and I will not let it happen. I want it to be clear to everyone: In the next government under my leadership, there will be no compromises on draft issues. There will be no political deals at the expense of those serving in the army,” Bennett said.

On Tuesday evening, the pro-government Channel 14 aired a clip of Golan declaring that he was “not ruling out the Haredim.”

“Absolutely not. I can tell you that if now the possibility of forming a government is contingent on an Haredi party joining, I will vote in favor, provided that Likud, Smotrich, and Ben Gvir are not there,” Golan said.

“We mainly need to work smartly with indirect pressure, rather than direct pressure. I want to tell you right here that the entire conscription law people are talking about is tainted with populism. All those who oppose what the government is doing are right to do so. But with what they are proposing, thousands of Haredim will not just enlist tomorrow morning; it is a process.”

It is unclear when Golan made these comments.

Golan stated on Wednesday morning that “the Haredi parties have disqualified themselves” and “will be outside” the next government, adding in a post on X that “we are the only party in the bloc that has declared clearly and unequivocally that we will not sit in the next government with any of the partners of the October massacre government.”

“We will not compromise on drafting the ultra-Orthodox and ensuring their full integration into Israeli society,” Golan stated, pledging that “with us, there are no compromises. And no backsliding on values.”

Golan’s comments in the undated clip were also condemned by members of Avigdor Liberman’s hawkish Yisrael Beytenu party, with MK Oded Forer declaring that “anyone who wants to be a partner in the next government must commit: enlistment for everyone, no exemptions.”

‘The opportunity to study Torah’

Yashar chairman Gadi Eisenkot also defended himself from criticism of his approach to the Haredim on Wednesday, declaring that it had not changed and that he still supports conscription for Haredim — although he believes that three percent of the top yeshiva students should receive draft exemptions.

Channel 12 quoted the former IDF chief of staff as saying that “the fact that partners and rivals attribute naivety to me works in my favor. I am also meeting and talking with members of the Likud in order to shorten the days of this bad government.”

The network reported on Sunday that Eisenkot met with Degel HaTorah chairman Moshe Gafni after the Haredi party’s spiritual leader, Rabbi Dov Lando, called to dissolve the Knesset and declared his faction’s separation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc.

Eisenkot has said that he maintains good relations with the Haredim, despite differences of opinion. He recently generated anger by stating that he would join a coalition “with those who strengthen Israel” when asked if he would sit with the Haredi parties.

Addressing a Kibbutz Leadership Conference on Wednesday, Eisenkot said that his “approach has not changed: Service for all, even at the cost of additional elections.”

All Haredim should serve in the army except for three percent of each annual draft cohort, who should “be given the opportunity to study Torah, similar to outstanding musicians and athletes” who also receive exemptions, he added.