Yashar! party chairman Gadi Eisenkot said Friday that he would be willing to sit in a coalition with haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties, saying in a video posted to social media: “Of course. I sit with anyone who strengthens the State of Israel.”
His comments come after reports of contacts regarding a possible merger between his party and Avigdor Liberman’s Yisrael Beytenu. Earlier this month, both parties confirmed that the two were expected to meet amid reports of talks over a potential union.
“What will ultimately determine things is the interest of the bloc. We will do what is right and what will bring victory. In the meantime, we are working; there is still time before the party lists close,” a joint statement by the parties read.
Liberman, it should be recalled, has repeatedly emphasized his position on the draft law. About a year ago, he addressed the issue in an interview with 103FM.
קואליציה של איזנקוט עם החרדים? בתיעוד שהגיע לידי ‘אמס’, גדי איזנקוט עונה לשאלה האם ישב עם החרדים: “בטח, אני יושב עם כל מי שמחזק את מדינת ישראל.” pic.twitter.com/MoX0yzfDrx
— שלום שטיין (@ShalomShtain) May 15, 2026
Liberman says ‘no unity’ while ‘draft-dodging’ persists
“There will be no unity as long as there is draft-dodging. Netanyahu is not willing to give up on the draft-dodgers. Under no circumstances is Netanyahu willing to give up [haredi parties] Shas and United Torah Judaism. I see how much money is being funneled to them to appease them,” Liberman said.
“The October 7 government is stealing money from those who serve and handing it to draft-dodgers. There are no boycotts. We will form a government, and its first decision will be the establishment of a state commission of inquiry and a draft law for everyone,” he stressed.
