Change Bloc and Haredi parties hold coalition talks amid deep divisions

Negotiations between the Change Bloc and Haredi parties continue after the 2026 elections, with disagreements over military draft exemptions, Shabbat, civil marriage, and education. United Torah Judaism insists Shas must also join any coalition.

Pollster Shlomo Filber published an analysis on X about the possibility that Avigdor Lieberman would head a government with the support of the Haredi parties. Filber lists three main difficulties: agreement within the Haredi public, a solution to the dispute over Haredi conscription, and the willingness of Gadi Eisenkot and Naftali Bennett to serve under Lieberman. According to him, support from some Haredi representatives is not enough, and it is necessary to convince additional rabbinical courts. Regarding conscription, he describes a possible temporary order for a year and a half, but notes that even a temporary solution leaves open questions. Filber estimates that Eisenkot and Bennett would find it difficult to accept Lieberman's leadership, and that Eisenkot might consider a unity government with Likud. The analysis presents a possible but obstacle-filled path.