"They will use you and throw you away": Netanyahu's warning to the Haredim – and the tough question they asked him back
Netanyahu warns the Haredim against joining Eisenkot's government, claiming they will be "used and thrown away" after the budget is passed. United Torah Judaism listens to the warnings but demands a real alternative from him.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is working to recruit Haredi rabbis and activists to prevent the Haredi parties from joining Gadi Eisenkot's emerging government. Netanyahu warns the Haredi leadership that the change bloc will "use them and throw them away" after the first budget is passed, since Ra'am and the Joint List could serve as a safety net for the government. United Torah Judaism is particularly concerned about joining without Shas, which would weaken their power vis-à-vis the secular partners. However, they demand that Netanyahu present a real alternative for forming a government under his leadership, which is not currently on the horizon. The article describes the delicate contacts between Likud, United Torah Judaism, and Shas, with Eisenkot wanting to move forward first with United Torah Judaism and Aryeh Deri yet to decide.