REPORT: Liberman Pursues Separate Haredi Talks as Eisenkot Seeks Minority Government

Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman is pursuing his own talks with the chareidi parties as Gadi Eisenkot seeks to assemble a minority government, Ynet reported.

According to the report, Liberman's preferred route is a 61-seat coalition that includes United Torah Judaism and Shas, rather than a government dependent on support or abstentions from Arab-led parties. Ynet described a two-stage effort: bringing in UTJ first, then seeking Shas's support.

The proposed arithmetic combines the Jewish-led opposition bloc's 48 seats with the chareidi parties' 13. It is a possible coalition framework, not an announced agreement. Liberman's seven-seat party is itself part of the 48-seat bloc.

Liberman said Friday that he would oppose a minority government reliant on Ra'am or the Joint List, while accepting the need for painful compromises on other issues, including military conscription. The Jerusalem Post independently reported those public conditions.

Independent talks between Liberman's representatives and chareidi figures have also been reported by Channel 13. That reporting described exploratory discussions, not a completed coalition deal.

Conscription remains a major obstacle. Eisenkot has reaffirmed a requirement for military, national or civilian service, while Democrats chairman Yair Golan has said cooperation with the chareidi parties must include enlistment and greater participation in the workforce. Israel Hayom reported Golan's conditions Saturday.

Shas has publicly denied agreeing to join an Eisenkot-led government and says it remains part of the right-wing bloc. Reported discussions should not be treated as a commitment by the party.

President Isaac Herzog selected Eisenkot for the first attempt to form a government after 67 lawmakers recommended him, compared with 46 for Benjamin Netanyahu. The formal mandate is due Sunday at 5 p.m. Israel time. Recommendations to the president do not by themselves establish a governing majority.