Deri Said Left Would Agree to Chareidi Draft Demands to Form Government
Shas chairman Aryeh Deri reportedly acknowledged in a private conversation several months ago that Israel’s left-wing parties would be willing to meet virtually all of the chareidi parties’ demands, including legislation protecting yeshiva bochurim from military conscription, if doing so would enable them to establish a government.
The previously undisclosed remarks, reported Friday by BeHadrei Chareidim based on an account of a conversation with one of Deri’s acquaintances, have taken on new significance as negotiations intensify over the formation of Israel’s next government and the possibility of chareidi participation in a coalition led by Gadi Eisenkot.
According to the account, Deri expressed confidence that the political parties currently opposing the chareidi position on the draft would quickly abandon their objections if they needed chareidi support to secure a governing majority.
“If we go with the left, we’ll get everything we want. Everything they say is a bluff designed to bring down the right. We could get a draft law if we went with the other side, but we have a responsibility to the Jewish people, and that’s why we go with the right,” Deri reportedly said.
The account comes as United Torah Judaism has declined to recommend either Eisenkot or Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu for the premiership, leaving open questions about the party’s position in the emerging coalition negotiations.
It also follows comments by Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman indicating that he would be prepared to consider compromises on the military draft issue, despite his longstanding opposition to broad exemptions for yeshiva students.
An editorial published by BeHadrei Chareidim has meanwhile urged the chareidi parties to consider joining an Eisenkot-led government if an agreement can be reached to legally secure the status of yeshiva bochurim.
The individual who recounted the conversation with Deri said he initially challenged the Shas chairman’s assessment, expressing disbelief that left-wing politicians would reverse their positions on such a contentious issue.
Deri reportedly responded by pointing to his extensive experience dealing with leaders of the Israeli left.
“What are you talking about? You’re naive. These people used to be my friends. I know the leftists. They’ll sell everything when they need to,” Deri said, according to the account.
The acquaintance then raised another objection, arguing that even if political leaders were willing to compromise, their voters would not tolerate concessions on the draft after years of campaigning against exemptions for chareidi yeshiva students.
Deri reportedly dismissed that argument as well.
The reported conversation has emerged as members of the anti-Netanyahu bloc explore the possibility of forming a government with United Torah Judaism, potentially using a framework based on the military conscription proposal advanced by Lieberman in 2018.
Although discussions about such an arrangement are underway, no agreement has been reached, and significant differences remain between the parties over the terms of any future draft legislation.
The account of Deri’s remarks has not been independently confirmed, and the report does not indicate that he has changed his position regarding cooperation with Netanyahu’s political opponents.
