Even as the Change Bloc invests political effort in trying to reach understandings with the chareidi factions to form an alternative government, MK Gilad Kariv of the Democrats is aiming sharp arrows at those very potential partners. In an interview on the Nissim Mishal and Ilil Shachar programme on Radio 103FM, Kariv attacked the chareidim's conduct in recent years, downplayed their current political strength, and made clear his party will not allow caving to their demands.
"While the Israeli economy dealt with three years of war, the chareidim received billions of shekels every year in coalition funds," Kariv said on air, adding in a dismissive tone about their position in negotiations: "They don't have that much power. They belong to the bloc that lost."
"The chareidim won't get what they got from Netanyahu"
According to Kariv, the Democrats gave Gadi Eisenkot and Avigdor Lieberman a "green light" to explore bringing in the chareidim, but for one purpose only, replacing the current government. "We said very clearly that our top priority is replacing the current government, and not because we have to sit in ministerial chairs, but because this government and Netanyahu are truly dangerous to Israel," Kariv argued, stressing that the guiding principle for them is "compromise, not capitulation."
Kariv emphasized that the entire Change Bloc is united in its demands on religion-and-state issues, including public transport on Shabbos, core curriculum studies, and civil marriage. He attacked the policies the chareidim led in the outgoing government, saying: "Under chareidi pressure, in recent years, Miri Regev cancelled a large part of the permits that existed for years for public transport lines to hospitals and IDF bases. There are organised efforts in many local authorities to operate lines on Shabbos. The chareidim tried to block this option; we will not allow blocking this option. The chareidim cannot come to the negotiating table thinking they will get what they got from Netanyahu."
