Change Bloc and Haredi parties hold talks on coalition, gaps remain

Negotiations between the Change Bloc and Haredi parties continue, with disagreements over military draft exemptions, Shabbat observance, civil marriage, and education. A secret channel involving Gadi Eisenkot's party has seen progress, but officials say a deal is far off.

A senior official in the Change Bloc confirmed yesterday (Wednesday) that there is 'positive progress' in the initial contacts between Yashar chairman Gadi Eisenkot and the Haredi parties. According to him, there is a secret and discreet channel between the sides to examine cooperation for forming a government. Lieberman, who met with the chairman of United Torah Judaism, estimates that if United Torah Judaism joins, Shas will follow. However, the Change Bloc is aware of the difficulty: the Democrats, Yisrael Beiteinu, Yashar, and Together parties led a liberal and anti-Haredi campaign, and will have to give up a significant part of the agenda on religion and state issues. Meanwhile, Netanyahu sent messages to Eisenkot about willingness for a unity government without Otzma Yehudit, despite previous promises to Ben Gvir.