From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Far-right minister signals backing for unity government, a day after president’s call
Sam Sokol is the Times of Israel's political correspondent. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
Immigration and Absorption Minister Ofir Sofer of the far-right Religious Zionism party seems to endorse a unity government less than a day after President Isaac Herzog called on politicians to put aside their differences for the sake of the hostages.
Speaking at a state ceremony honoring Prisoners of Zion, Sofer declares that due to the challenges posed by the current conflict, “we will be required to make dramatic decisions for Israel” and that “this is the time to join forces and know how to act together.”
Sofer’s pronouncement stands at odds with that of the ultranationalist Otzma Yehudit party, which lashed out last night at Herzog for his declaration that “the political system must come together with all its might” for the release of the hostages.
In a statement, Otzma Yehudit — which like Religious Zionism, has come out against a deal — argued that Herzog’s statement “is an irresponsible call that collaborates with Hamas propaganda and the blood libel of the extreme left.”
According to Channel 12, Herzog has been holding talks with politicians on both sides of the aisle to push for unity. The network also quotes an official from the ultra-Orthodox Shas party as stating that “there is a will and there is support for a unity government.”
The call for unity also resonated with MK Matan Kahana of the centrist National Unity party, who tells the network that “what Israel needs now is a broad unity government that relies on the Zionist and moderate forces in Israeli society.”
