Bennett keeps quiet on haredi talks as coalition debates expose elite infighting
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Sources in the Eisenkot bloc say Naftali Bennett has not publicly revealed his stance on the proposed compromises with ultra-Orthodox parties, raising questions among insiders about whether he is fully aligned with the current government plan or keeping his options open.
Negotiations to form a government led by Gadi Eisenkot are revealing differences among potential coalition partners over how to bring the ultra-Orthodox parties into the governing framework. While Eisenkot and Avigdor Liberman both agree that a haredi presence is needed, they differ on the timing and on whether they should wait for Shas leader Arye Deri to take part. Liberman prefers securing agreements with both haredi parties from the beginning, whereas Eisenkot favors a gradual approach to prevent delays.
Within the bloc, members say Naftali Bennett has not announced a public position on the draft-concession framework under discussion. A source said Bennett has "lowered his profile and imposed silence on himself regarding the contentious issues and negotiations with the haredi parties," while still emphasizing support for those who serve in the military. Bennett wrote on Facebook that redirecting funds from draft dodgers to serving soldiers is a priority for the upcoming term.
The lack of a clear position has caused some bloc figures to question whether Bennett is fully committed to the current coalition plan or is positioning himself for a possible new election. These views are internal speculation and have not been confirmed by Bennett himself. The bloc’s other leaders say they support Eisenkot and trust his leadership, though they are not directly involved in the haredi negotiations.