Bennett's stance on haredi coalition talks remains unclear amid internal disputes
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Sources within the Eisenkot bloc say Naftali Bennett has stayed silent on proposed compromises with ultra-Orthodox parties, prompting speculation about his commitment to the current government formation plan.
Negotiations to form a government led by Gadi Eisenkot are exposing divisions among potential coalition partners over how to incorporate the ultra-Orthodox parties. While Eisenkot and Avigdor Liberman agree on the need for a haredi presence, they differ on timing and whether to wait for Shas leader Arye Deri's participation. Liberman favors securing agreements with both haredi parties from the start, whereas Eisenkot prefers a staged approach to avoid delays.
Within the bloc, members say Naftali Bennett has not taken a public position on the draft-concession framework being discussed. A source noted that Bennett has "lowered his profile and imposed silence on himself regarding the contentious issues and negotiations with the haredi parties," while continuing to emphasize support for those who serve in the military. Bennett posted on Facebook that redirecting funds from draft dodgers to serving soldiers is a priority for the upcoming term.
The lack of a clear stance has led some bloc figures to question whether Bennett is committed to the current coalition plan or is positioning himself for a possible new election. These assessments reflect internal speculation and have not been confirmed by Bennett himself. The bloc’s other leaders say they support Eisenkot and trust his leadership, but they are not directly involved in the haredi negotiations.