United Torah Judaism chairman Yaakov Asher has ruled out joining any government that relies on the support of Arab parties. The statement deals a significant setback to efforts by Gadi Eisenkot's "change bloc" to form a coalition with the chareidi parties.
"We will not lend a hand to a government with the support of the Arabs; we are in the Torah bloc," he said in an interview with the newspaper Mekor Ne'eman. He stressed that his party's first commitment is to the interests of the chareidi public.
The interview comes amid ongoing contacts over the formation of the next government and growing tension between the chareidi factions and the Religious Zionist Party. Asher also responded to warnings from Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich against teaming up with the change bloc, and sharply criticized how the outgoing coalition had treated the chareidi community. "He talks about a honey trap? And what about the sting they pulled on us?" Asher said.
His position carries real weight for Eisenkot. According to the results of the elections for the 26th Knesset published by the Central Elections Committee, the change bloc parties hold only 48 seats between them: Yashar! with 21, Together with 12, the Democrats with 8 and Yisrael Beiteinu with 7.
Adding United Torah Judaism's 7 seats would bring the bloc to 55. That is short of the 61 needed for a majority, and the gap would otherwise have to be filled by outside support from the Arab parties, Ra'am and the Joint List, which Asher has rejected outright. Reaching 61 without them would also require Shas and its 6 seats. Shas, however, continues to declare its loyalty to Benjamin Netanyahu and the right-wing bloc.
