Yesh Atid party leader MK Yair Lapid has worked hard to change his image during the current Knesset, seeking to distance himself from the anti-chareidi image that he earned during the tenure of the previous Knesset when he, Bayit Yehudi and Likud ran the coalition while the chareidi parties were in opposition.
Following that ordeal, with all of the ‘gezeiros’ passed by Yesh Atid and Bayit Yehudi against the chareidi tzibur, the chareidim placed Lapid in cherem, stating they would not enter into a coalition with him. It is reported that to date, Health Minister Yaakov Litzman has even begun speaking with him, but added he (Litzman) has yet to determine if Lapid’s teshuva in truly sincere.
Despite Lapid’s image makeover and earnest efforts, there is believed to be a ‘quiet understanding’ that the chareidim would still not enter a coalition government headed by Lapid. Recent polls continue to show Yesh Atid earning more seats in Knesset elections than Likud. This means Lapid might receive the presidential mandate to attempt to assemble a coalition government.
During a media interview MK (Yahadut Hatorah) Menachem Eliezer Moses was asked if there is an absolute ban on entering into a coalition with Lapid. To the surprise of some, Moses stated this is not the case from his perspective. “In politics, there is no absolute no. We must see, speak, and discuss. We must determine what coalition guidelines will be. From my perspective, I do not disqualify him on a personal basis. We might however disqualify him based on hashkafa and the coalition guidelines”, he explained.
Moses’ words are quite significant for it clearly shows that nothing is absolute in Israeli politics, including statements from elected chareidi officials that they would never sit in a coalition with Lapid.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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8 Responses
Are they crazy??? Lapid hasn’t changed one iota—-look at his recent meeting with dati leumi rabbis where he basically said Judaism has no place in the IDF.He’s a Narcissistic snake, and the Israeli public religious or secular shouldn’t be taken in by him.
If he can’t make a coalition without them and they will be left in the opposition without him then I’m sure we will start getting spoon fed headlines on the frum side about what a tzadik he has become as well as on the chiloni side about how the charedi parties of come to their senses and now want to be reasonable and modern.
Politics makes the strangest of bedfellows
for money… you can do ANYTHING!!!
At the rate things are going against Chareidim with Netanyahu, might as well try Lapid. It can’t get worse, could it?
#1 “he said Judaism has no place in the IDF”. That’s actually good news. It’s the best LEGAL excuse for chareidim (and religious Jews in general) to get out of the army.
Were’e in for trouble
If haman and pharaoh won the most seats the chareidim might sit with them too
The haredi parties realize now that they can’t be in the opposition.The 2 years they weren’t were a disaster for schools,families,jobs,etc.Unfortunately,Israel has little legal protections of minority rights and for example, if the government says they won’t fund haredi schools ,there’s nothing to stop them from doing so.
I don’t think there there is any doubt that after seeing R’ Yair’s sincere repentance over the last few months, that he is a trustworthy and wonderful person.
I don’t think we could find another leader like him, for the Children of Israel.
Ein davar oimed lifnei Teshuvah!