Analyst: Coalition talks with chareidim will end without deal

As frantic contacts and rumors of possible compromises with the chareidi parties swirl through the coalition talks, Channel 12 analyst Yair Cherki has laid out a sharp assessment of where the political map is heading. In remarks published this week, he states: "Selling out the soldiers would be a moral disgrace that would end in political humiliation, and therefore I estimate it won't happen."

He explains that the possibility of joining with the chareidim is being used mainly as a tactical tool in the negotiations: "As a psychological exercise in bargaining, this can pressure Netanyahu, and that's my assessment right now as well, but this is not a government that would last. It's not worthwhile for Deri and it's not worthwhile for Bennett, each for his own reasons."

"United Torah Judaism prefers opposition with understandings"

Cherki goes on to sketch the practical path that he says could allow the formation of a government led by Gadi Eisenkot, without paying a heavy price on the draft issue or on budget regulation:

"To move Netanyahu aside, Eisenkot only needs abstention from United Torah Judaism in order to swear in a short-term 'emergency government. The price for that could be specific understandings with the chareidim, but not a wholesale sellout that would enslave the state's long-term interest in order to gain something in the short term."

He believes this scenario serves not only the change bloc but also fits the strategy of the chareidi parties themselves: "United Torah Judaism, from its perspective, doesn't really need to be in the government with all that it entails. After the last term, it prefers opposition with verbal understandings."