Breaking

Israeli coalition negotiations have reached a critical juncture following Avigdor Lieberman’s rejection of any government relying on Arab parties, effectively eliminating minority government options for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Multiple sources including Ynet report that Lieberman has drawn a clear red line against such arrangements, with indications that Naftali Bennett shares this position.

With these constraints, the focus has shifted decisively to the 13 Knesset seats held by the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties, which now represent the only viable path to a coalition majority. This development is described as troubling for the Prime Minister’s office, as it limits Netanyahu’s negotiating flexibility and places significant leverage in the hands of the religious parties.

Lieberman, who previously held firm positions against Haredi participation—demanding full military conscription with no exemptions and threatening cuts to child allowances for non-compliers—has now signalled willingness to ‘recalculate the route’ on conscription issues. His apparent shift reflects recognition that additional elections represent a worse outcome for his party.

The narrowing of coalition options comes as Netanyahu faces pressure to form a stable government, with the Haredi parties now positioned as essential and potentially able to extract significant concessions on issues including military service, subsidies, and religious legislation.

Sources: Ynet, Jerusalem Post, Walla, Times of Israel