From the Liveblog of
Monday, June 9, 2025
PM, Huckabee said meeting with Haredi MKs, urging them not to collapse coalition as Iran talks near tipping point
Nava Freiberg is The Times of Israel's deputy diplomatic correspondent.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has met in recent days with Haredi members of his Knesset coalition, who have threatened to dissolve the government over the failure to pass the draft exemption law, and other senior coalition figures, during which he linked current “opportunities and challenges” in Israel’s security situation with the intense political turmoil the premier currently faces, reports Channel 12.
These meetings happen as the United States and Iran reach a critical point in nuclear talks, and as Israel reportedly considers striking Tehran’s nuclear facilities — issues which Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump discussed over the phone this afternoon.
“We are in a dramatic period. There are extraordinary challenges on the table. This is a historic window of opportunity that will not return, and therefore, under no circumstances should the foundations of the government be shaken,” the network quotes the premier as telling some of the Knesset Members in the meetings.
Channel 12 adds that the Opposition is aware of the conversations, saying Opposition Leader Yair Lapid heard about them from MKs he met with to discuss the draft exemption law, and that other MKs reported hearing similar messages.
The Prime Minister’s Office chose not to respond to the report, says Channel 12.
In a separate report, Channel 13 says that United States Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee is working to help resolve the coalition crisis, citing multiple diplomatic and political sources.
The report says that in recent conversations the envoy held with Haredi politicians, he addressed the need to stabilize the government, and noted that “government stability is important for addressing the Iranian issue.”
Netanyahu’s circle is aware of Huckabee’s involvement, says Channel 13.
Huckabee’s office stated that “He is holding meetings with various figures — the content of those conversations remains private,” adds the network.
The Times of Israel Community.