UTJ denies dramatic progress in coalition talks with Eisenkot's bloc

UTJ chairman Yaakov Asher denied reports of dramatic progress in coalition negotiations with Gadi Eisenkot's Change Bloc, despite Channel 12 reporting near-daily meetings. Asher rejected claims of draft exchanges on the conscription law.

Chairman of United Torah Judaism, MK Yaakov Asher, categorically denied this evening (Sunday) reports that his party is in the final stretch of negotiations with the left-wing bloc to form a government led by Gadi Eisenkot. In an official statement, Asher clarified that there is no truth to the reports of 'dramatic' progress in the talks and exchanges of drafts on the conscription law. The denial comes against the backdrop of meetings Asher held in recent days with Eisenkot and Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman, and amid warnings from Shas and the political system against relying on the left's promises. Asher's office claims these were routine meetings with no real progress.