From the Liveblog of
Monday, September 16, 2024
Sa’ar’s party denies reports of talks with Haredi party heads aimed at smoothing entry into coalition
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"
The opposition New Hope party denies media reports that its leader, MK Gideon Sa’ar, has been negotiating with the Knesset’s Haredi parties in order to reach a compromise on the conscription of the ultra-Orthodox community, which would smooth the way for his inclusion in the coalition.
“Contrary to media reports, there were no negotiations on the content of the conscription law between Sa’ar or anyone on his behalf and the ultra-Orthodox parties or any other party,” New Hope says in a statement.
“MK Sa’ar’s position was and remains that any legislation should be based on the needs of the IDF and coordinated with the security establishment,” the statement adds.
The Ynet news site reported earlier that Sa’ar has been discussing supporting a quota-based draft law, which would keep a majority of previously exempt yeshiva students out of the army. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman Yuli Edelstein have both expressed opposition to advancing legislation regulating the Haredi draft without wide agreement, including from the opposition.
According to previous reports — which both sides have denied — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering tapping Sa’ar to replace Gallant. Supporting a compromise with the Haredim would make Netanyahu’s life easier, as United Torah Judaism chief Yitzhak Goldknopf has reportedly threatened to vote against the upcoming budget several months from now if the law does not advance, which could force elections.
If the post of defense minister does not pan out, Sa’ar may receive the position of foreign minister while Israel Katz takes over for Gallant, Channel 12 has reported. It also claimed that New Hope MKs Ze’ev Elkin and Sharren Haskel may be offered ministerial portfolios.
