Liberman lifts veto on haredi parties, opening talks with United Torah Judaism

Avigdor Liberman, chairman of Yisrael Beytenu, announced he has dropped his veto on forming a government that includes haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties. The move clears the way for the opposition bloc to begin talks with United Torah Judaism (UTJ), according to a report by Amit Segal of N12.

The discussions are said to focus on drafting a more lenient military conscription law for the ultra-Orthodox community, with Shas expected to support the proposal under pressure from Rabbi Lando.

UTJ, a longtime coalition partner of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, declined to recommend a candidate for prime minister to President Isaac Herzog during Thursday’s consultation, a decision that reflects reported tensions with Netanyahu and benefits the opposition’s effort to replace him.

Opposition leaders have recently indicated a willingness to include haredi parties in a prospective coalition. A potential government led by Yashar chairman Gadi Eisenkot and including UTJ would command 55 Knesset seats, short of the 61 needed for a majority, but could reduce Netanyahu’s bloc to 46 seats and enable Eisenkot to form a minority administration with Ra'am and the Joint List abstaining.

Yisrael Beytenu denied earlier reports that it had changed its stance, stating, "> We are not aware of any such thing. Nothing has changed since the briefing was given."

Liberman previously ruled out joining a unity government with Netanyahu’s party or a minority government reliant on Arab parties. However, he indicated a more flexible position toward a coalition that includes Shas and UTJ, adding that he would have no problem supporting any arrangement that meets his principles and includes a conscription law for the haredi community.

Liberman has historically opposed cooperation with haredi parties over military conscription and religion-state issues, once describing such parties as "non-Zionist elements" and labeling draft-evaders as "evaders." His stance on haredi conscription has previously influenced coalition talks, notably in 2019 when his refusal to back a draft compromise contributed to a political deadlock and a series of elections.