Rabbi Yosef: Netanyahu and Religious Zionism hate us, bring down the right-wing bloc

Former Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef called on his students not to vote for Shas in the upcoming elections, according to a report in Haaretz. It was further reported that Rabbi Yosef, who serves as a member of the party's Council of Torah Sages, called for the collapse of the "right-wing bloc." According to the same report, the Rabbi told his students:

"Netanyahu and Religious Zionism hate us, but the left respects us — with them it is possible to work."

In the Rabbi's circle, they were quick to deny the remarks: "It never happened. It is regrettable that internal elements are spreading false statements in the name of the Rabbi with the goal of sowing division. Their plot will not succeed, and the Sephardic public will continue to be united."

Natan Eshel, a close associate of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, claims that Shas and Gadi Eisenkot are coordinating ahead of the possibility that election results will not allow Netanyahu to form a government. "Shas is closed with Gadi Eisenkot," Eshel claimed. "In the event that Eisenkot needs to form a government, he will take Shas instead of Avigdor Lieberman."

According to him, Eisenkot does not rely on the Yisrael Beiteinu chairman for the purpose of forming a future coalition. "Eisenkot is not building on Lieberman at all and is not moved by his statements. He knows exactly what he is doing: taking Shas, solving all his problems, and also knows that Naftali Bennett will retire from politics if he is not Prime Minister."

Eshel's words come against the background of growing signs of disagreement within the Haredi system regarding the future of the alliance with Netanyahu, especially in a scenario where he fails to achieve a majority of 61 mandates. Moti Babchik, an advisor to MK Yitzhak Goldknopf, told Maariv:

"There is no such thing as a bloc anymore. We will go with whoever gives us an arrangement for 'Torah is his craft'."

Eisenkot does not rule out cooperation with the Haredi parties, but sets a clear condition: agreement to the basic principles he presents, led by a draft outline according to which almost all Haredi youth will be required to serve. This possibility encounters opposition from both sides: some elements in the Haredi bloc claim they will remain with Netanyahu at any cost, while within the opposition bloc, resistance is also expected to the inclusion of the Haredim without significant agreement on the draft issue.

This is not the first time that Rabbi Yosef has referred to Netanyahu: "We are in a secular state. There are those whom I do not believe will return to religion. Is Bibi Netanyahu going to return to religion? There is no chance. Eisenkot might return to religion."