Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot has decided to make negotiations with ultra-Orthodox parties a priority in his effort to establish a government, Channel 12 reported Friday. The move brings him closer to the approach championed by Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman, who opposes forming a government dependent on Arab-led parties.

Eisenkot, who received the first mandate to form a government from President Isaac Herzog on Sunday, had initially hoped to assemble a coalition from the four Jewish-led parties in the anti-Netanyahu camp. However, those parties secured just 48 seats in the 120-member Knesset, compared with 53 for Netanyahu’s bloc and 19 held by the two Arab parties. The numbers leave Eisenkot needing either Arab-party backing or additional coalition partners to reach a governing majority.

Liberman, a secular right-wing politician, has ruled out relying on Arab parties and rejected the possibility of establishing a minority government. He argues that such an arrangement would be short-lived and could ultimately strengthen Netanyahu politically. Instead, Liberman is advocating a 61-seat majority through negotiations between Zionist opposition parties and the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism (7 seats) and Shas (6 seats) — parties he had strongly opposed partnering with for years.

United Torah Judaism has already begun exploring an agreement with Eisenkot’s camp, with party officials confirming initial contacts and outlining demands concerning military service exemptions, educational funding and religion-state matters.

Shas, meanwhile, has continued publicly backing Netanyahu and declared that it is not negotiating with competing political blocs, presenting another obstacle to Eisenkot’s efforts to secure a majority.

Channel 12 reported that Yashar nevertheless intends to leave the possibility open for Likud and the far-right Religious Zionism party to join a future coalition, while ruling out participation by the far-right Otzma Yehudit party.

The network said Yashar is planning to meet Likud representatives next week.

The proposed meeting would restart discussions that were suspended earlier this week, after Yashar called off a planned encounter with Likud officials following Netanyahu’s “divisive” speech at the inauguration of the 26th Knesset. In the address, Netanyahu accused Arab lawmakers of seeking Israel’s destruction.

The caretaker prime minister argued Tuesday that Israel needed “a national unity government” led by him. Eisenkot, however, has repeatedly vowed not to serve under Netanyahu or join a government with him. He has also called on Netanyahu to leave politics over what Eisenkot describes as failures surrounding the October 7, 2023, Hamas invasion, making a unity arrangement involving both leaders highly improbable.

UTJ Considers Eisenkot Government Without Secured Draft Exemption

Separately, Channel 13 reported Friday that United Torah Judaism is debating whether to join an Eisenkot-led government even if a guaranteed military exemption for yeshiva students is not secured beforehand.

According to the report, Haredi representatives are considering an interim arrangement that would suspend mandatory enlistment of yeshiva students for one year, halt arrests during that period and remove penalties imposed on those avoiding the draft.

The proposed conditions reportedly face substantial legal hurdles, an issue also raised during discussions between anti-Netanyahu bloc members and legal advisers familiar with High Court proceedings.

The developments follow a Channel 12 report Thursday that UTJ’s Hasidic leadership was considering requiring all 48 lawmakers in Eisenkot’s four-party alliance to commit to backing legislation exempting Haredi men from military service. The proposal could also include an override provision intended to prevent the High Court from overturning the legislation.

UTJ figures favoring an agreement with Eisenkot reportedly believe their party could help the opposition bloc achieve a parliamentary majority despite unresolved questions surrounding draft legislation. In exchange, they would seek coalition roles and government funding. Some also reportedly view participation in an Eisenkot-led government as an opportunity to establish Haredi parties as legitimate coalition partners outside Netanyahu’s political camp while easing pressure for widespread ultra-Orthodox enlistment.

Liberman said earlier this week that the election results had compelled his party to reconsider its pre-election insistence on universal military service. With the opposition holding only 48 seats, he argued, compromises with the ultra-Orthodox would be necessary to assemble a 61-seat majority.

He maintained that any new enlistment arrangement would need to withstand High Court review while securing the backing of UTJ spiritual leader Rabbi Dov Lando.

During a Wednesday meeting with UTJ chairman Yaakov Asher, Liberman reportedly suggested attempting to develop an exemption framework, while acknowledging that the proposal could encounter legal challenges, Channel 13 reported.

UTJ’s ultimate decision is also expected to depend on Lando’s position. Channel 13 said some party members believe Eisenkot should receive an opportunity to form a government after Netanyahu failed to settle the military draft dispute, with UTJ potentially withdrawing its support later if circumstances warrant.

Shas, according to the report, is not coordinating its strategy with UTJ. The network added that Shas chairman Aryeh Deri reportedly believes negotiations with Liberman are unlikely to succeed.