Analyst: Opposition's chareidi thesis collapsing in real time

The confrontation in the studio (Photo: Channel 12)

A storm erupted Monday night in the Channel 12 studio when analyst Yishai Cohen launched a sharp attack on what he called the political and media hypocrisy surrounding contacts with the chareidi parties. During a heated discussion about the possibility of political cooperation between Avigdor Liberman and other senior opposition figures with the chareidi factions, Cohen questioned how such a deal suddenly became a legitimate option.

"I'm asking in all seriousness --- are you not in shock?" he called out to the panel. "For three years, and even longer, we've been hearing Liberman raging and inciting against the chareidi public, starting with 'the parasites to the garbage dump' and all the harsh talk. Politicians sat around this very table night after night, shouting 'draft dodgers,' claiming chareidim distinguish between blood and blood, and swearing 'it will not stand and will not be.' And now, on the eve of elections, suddenly those same politicians are changing their tune."

The remarks come against the backdrop of the political deadlock created after the election results, as the change bloc struggles to complete 61 mandates without support from either the chareidi or Arab factions. During the discussion, panel members acknowledged that behind the scenes, quiet and cyclical contacts are indeed being conducted with representatives of the chareidi public.

According to reports raised in the studio, the politicians' proposals in closed rooms include an immediate freeze on arrests of deserters and yeshiva bochurim, restoration of the economic benefits that were revoked, and cancellation of criminal and legal sanctions if a political agreement is reached. Cohen concluded his remarks with an unequivocal statement about the collapse of the media narrative: "Your entire thesis on chareidim is simply collapsing. Those same politicians and those same pundits who sat here every evening and vilified the chareidi public, are going today in closed rooms and offering exactly what they ruled out from the start."

Cohen's words reflect the growing frustration in the chareidi public over what is perceived as political hypocrisy. For years, calls were heard to impose economic and criminal sanctions on bnei yeshivos, but now, when political necessity demands it, those same voices are willing to offer far-reaching compromises. The central question Cohen raises is whether the broader public will remember the previous promises, or whether politics will win out once again.