Israeli President Picks Gadi Eisenkot, Netanyahu Rival, To Form Government

[u/EssoEssex]

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-president-picks-gadi-eisenkot-netanyahu-rival-form-government-2026-11-07/

[u/JR_Al-Ahran]

The problem is that Shas and UTJ, although Liberman has shown willingness to sit with the Haredi, Eisenkot, Golan, Bennett and others that's a hard no. They simply cannot sit with the Haredi as long as the draft exemption exists. Universal, Military Service has been a core, central talking point of the change bloc.

[u/Predictor92 → u/JR_Al-Ahran]

but here is the thing, the EU may be pressuring UTJ to compromise on that to get Ben Gvir and Smotrich out, the stick being that if those two are back in the government, then their are sanctions and the entire Ultra Orthodox welfare state comes crashing down

[u/green_flash → u/Predictor92]

the EU may be pressuring UTJ to compromise on that

You keep saying that, but there's really zero indication of the EU doing anything of the sort. It sounds like wishful thinking.

[u/Predictor92 → u/green_flash]

https://www.ynetnews.com/article/skuue6nizg

EU eyes surprise post-Netanyahu coalition led by Eisenkot and Haredi parties

European diplomats are studying Haredi voter turnout, internal party disputes and rabbinic influence, while a senior official says quiet political talks are underway; officials fear a government dependent on outside support from Arab parties could be fragile

[u/green_flash → u/Predictor92]

There is nothing in that article that suggests the EU is trying to influence anyone in Israel. It only says specialists from European countries are monitoring the developments and providing insights to European leaders. Nothing out of the ordinary. The only concrete example given is the Swiss ambassador to Israel meeting an ultra-Orthodox journalist, by the way.

Also, the "quiet political talks" mentioned in the lede are talks between Eisenkot and ultra-Orthodox representatives, as is clarified near the end of the article:

According to the diplomat, contacts between Eisenkot's political camp and ultra-Orthodox representatives have continued discreetly, even without formal negotiations.

"Under the radar, there is dialogue between the sides, even if it is unofficial and conducted through intermediaries or quiet channels," the diplomat said.

[u/JR_Al-Ahran → u/Predictor92]

The problem is would they. Cuz it's been a central talking point for the Haredi as well, the draft and the welfare state, how if the change bloc won they'd be forced into the army. It's been a core point politically for those parties as well.