Dubious Alliance: Will the Haredim Sell Jewish Identity for the Draft Law?

The article examines the possibility of a political partnership between the Haredi parties and the "Yashar!" party led by Gadi Eisenkot, against the backdrop of statements by its senior members on issues of Shabbat, the Western Wall, and conversion, and asks whether the Haredim will compromise their principles in exchange for the draft law.

The article examines the possibility of a political partnership between the Haredi parties and the "Yashar!" party led by Gadi Eisenkot, against the backdrop of negotiations over the draft law. It quotes a series of statements by senior "Yashar!" members on religion and state issues: Eisenkot committed to integrating an LGBTQ representative on his list; Elazar Stern supported the Western Wall outline for Reform and Conservative movements; Hili Tropper supported granting local authorities the power to operate public transportation on Shabbat; and Israel Zri promoted LGBTQ rights. The article asks whether the Haredi parties will be willing to compromise on the principles of Shabbat, the Western Wall, and conversion in exchange for agreements on the draft law.