Israel. Eisenkot warns ultra-orthodox that military service is “for all”

O leader of Yashar!, Gadi Eisenkot, tasked with forming government in Israel, today warned that military service is “for all”, alluding to the ultra-orthodox, who may support a solution to the impasse created by the latest legislation.

Prior to the inauguration of the 26th Parliament (Knesset), the former head of the armed forces met with his party to convey the message that he intends to create “a national emergency government as soon as possible”, without signaling the way to obtain a majority in parliament that enables this executive.

On Monday, public broadcaster Kan reported that Eisenkot intends to negotiate with the two forces of the ultra-Orthodox Jews, who previously supported the bloc led by the outgoing Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.

This would be a way to find an alternative to the veto of one of its partners from the four Zionist parties of the so-called bloc of change, Avigdor Lierbeman, leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu (Israel is Our House), to the support of the 19 elected Arab groups to create a majority of at least 61 deputies to approve a government.

However, Eisenkot would also have to circumvent the refusal of the ultra-Orthodox to yield in the controversial military exemption to this minority and which is required by the opposition and its lay support base.

“We will not give up military service, national service for all, we are committed to forming government as soon as possible,” said Yashar’s leader today, quoted in the Israeli press, adding that he does not intend to yield to its principles.

Eisenkot also stressed that Israel faces a decisive moment “in terms of security, strategy, economy and international relations” and perhaps “the most challenging days since its foundation”.

He also said that Yashar! will not give up finalizing the goals in the Gaza Strip war, which implies “the destruction of the military and civilian capabilities” of the Islamist Hamas group.

The Israeli leader reaffirmed that his party has “a deep commitment to its compass”, implying a “Jewish, democratic, liberal and egalitarian” country, and that it is on that basis that he will work with his partners in the bloc of change.

However, this group has achieved only 48 Members, falling short of the 61 required for an absolute majority and will need the support of the Arab parties, or the ultra-Orthodox parties, or a broad platform that includes representatives of other forces belonging to the Netanyahu bloc.

Speaking today at the inaugural session of the Knesset, the head of the outgoing government insisted on creating a “government of national unity” to confront the “darkness” that represents Iran.

“ In the very near future, we will face international pressures to accept an Iran with nuclear weapons,” Netanyahu warned, noting that the new parliament has only one way, which is “put aside all other considerations and form a government of national unity.”.

The Prime Minister has reinforced the need for a joint executive, to engage the Jewish opposition parties and exclude the Arabs, and to be headed by himself as leader of the Likud, the most voted party on 27 October, but who failed to gather more recommendations to form government with the Israeli President, Isaac Herzog, than his opponent of Yashar!.

In reaction to Netanyahu’s words in parliament, Gadi Eisenkot classified the speech as “delirant, divisive, hateful and shameful”, in a statement issued by his party.

“ I am even more convinced that he is unable to remain in office for another minute,” said the former chief of the armed forces, adding that Netanyahu’s stay in office “divides Israel and endangers its security.”.

Despite the divisions within the opposition group, the four parties achieved a majority of 61 votes to appoint the former Minister of Religious Affairs and Mr Matan Kahana, who was in fifth place on Yashar's lists!, as next president of the Israeli parliament, in place of Amir Ohana of the Likud.

The four Zionist opposition parties also agreed, according to a joint communiqué, to appoint Avigdor Lieberman to head the strategic parliamentary committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence.

In his speech in the Knesset, the president of the right-wing party Israel is Our House again supported Eisenkot's efforts to form government, but reaffirmed his refusal to accept the support of the 19 deputies of the Arab forces and the creation of a minority government, which he said was a way to return Netanyahu to power in the short term.

“ I am working to put an end to the Netanyahu Government — once and for all. Not a temporary end,” he said, quoted in the Israeli press, warning that any minority government would collapse quickly and result in a new election and the possibility of Likud being led for another four years in power.

“ Therefore, those who speak of minority government are actually crowning Netanyahu for another full mandate”, he said.

Despite having defended during the campaign the end of the military exemption for the ultra-Orthodox, Lieberman caused surprise in recent days, by giving signs of approaching an understanding with the parties of the religious minority, which in turn belonged to the pro-Netanyahu group.

The United Judaism of the Torah ended up not endorsing any candidates. His seven deputies, added to the six of the other ultra-Orthodox party, Shas, would allow the opposition to obtain the 61 for the absolute majority, advocated by Lieberman.

“ We had to reevaluate and find compromise and flexibility solutions,” said Israel’s former Defense Minister and leader today is Our House, regretting that the parties in the bloc of change could not achieve a majority that would dispense with the support of the ultra-orthodox.

Lieberman also argued that “it is clear today” that the mandatory military service model must be different and validated by the Supreme Court in order to accommodate religious claims equally.

“ This is currently the best model that can be implemented without all the confusion, without destroying everything and without needing new elections ", appealed.

In the inaugural session, the Israeli President urged the parties to make concessions and reach a consensus for a new government.

“ Extend your hand to concessions, including your rivals,” said Herzog, after beating the hammer three times to start taking possession of the 26th Knesset.

Eiskot has 28 days, counting since Sunday, to present a viable government solution in parliament, extended for another 14.

If not successful, the decision returns to Herzog, which will indicate another candidate and the count is back to zero for another 28 days, without possibility of extension.