Despite Shas breaking its silence and announcing it will recommend Netanyahu to the president, those close to the prime minister understand the battle is far from over—and that the haredi parties, including Shas, could still join the left. Still, the assessment is that they can be convinced not to join Eisenkot’s bloc.
1+This assessment comes despite deep mistrust between Netanyahu and United Torah Judaism, and despite the belief in his circle that promises and commitments won’t change the haredi parties’ position. Those around the prime minister believe that despite the lack of trust, there’s still a chance to influence the haredi parties’ decision and prevent them from entering an Eisenkot-led government.
Other Likud sources are more skeptical. According to them, if the left-wing bloc offers the haredi parties a draft law and other incentives, there will be no way to stop them from joining the government. According to these sources, such an offer from the left would carry decisive weight for the haredi parties and would override Likud’s efforts to prevent their defection.
1+The backdrop to these assessments is the fact that the haredi parties—Shas and United Torah Judaism—could give Eisenkot 61 seats if they enter a left-wing government. That’s the number needed to form a government, so their joining, if it happens, would be decisive in Eisenkot’s ability to assemble a coalition.
Political observers estimate that the question of the haredi parties’ alignment will be one of the central issues in the coming days, and that efforts to persuade them—from both sides—will continue alongside coalition negotiations.