United Torah Judaism MK Uri Maklev said Thursday that he would not be surprised if Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu’s first move after the next election is to try forming a coalition with Gadi Eisenkot instead of the Chareidi parties, stressing that the Chareidi bloc is independent and will act according to its own interests.

Speaking in an interview with Avi Moskoff and Avi Gadolovitch on Kol Berama Radio’s “One in the Afternoon” program, Maklev said, “I wouldn’t be surprised if Netanyahu’s first attempt is to form a government with Eisenkot. Netanyahu’s first concern is Netanyahu. He is not committed to the bloc. We will do what’s best for us—we are a bloc unto ourselves.”

Maklev also appeared to suggest that new Chareidi political factions are receiving significant financial backing from undisclosed sources, hinting that more information could eventually become public.

“The day will come when people will know where the major funding came from. I know where the money is coming from. Once that becomes known, there will be no need to discuss all these other things,” he said, without providing further details.

Turning to Israel’s High Court of Justice, which recently struck down legislation freezing the arrests of yeshiva students over the military draft, Maklev defended the coalition’s decision to advance the measure despite anticipating a legal challenge.

“Bringing the arrests law forward was not a mistake. We knew we were heading for a confrontation with the High Court. Every law the High Court strikes down undermines the court’s own legitimacy,” he said.

Maklev added that he was not advocating defying the court’s rulings but sharply criticized what he described as judicial overreach.

“I never said not to obey the High Court—we’re not anarchists. But if the High Court acts unlawfully, then the police should summon them for questioning,” he said.

The UTJ lawmaker also reserved harsh criticism for the Religious Zionism Party, accusing it of contributing to tensions surrounding the enlistment of yeshiva students.

“When Religious Zionism says, ‘We’re not opposed to Torah study, but it’s possible to do both,’ that is the statement that created confusion and fueled the greatest incitement,” Maklev said. “As a party, Religious Zionism has been the most problematic member of this coalition.”

{Matzav.com}