Netanyahu Allies Reportedly Explore Eisenkot Coalition With Conscription Law First

People close to Benjamin Netanyahu are promoting a post-election government with Gadi Eisenkot built around passing a conscription law before Haredi parties join, according to a report published on 28 October. The proposal is being discussed by Netanyahu associates; it is not a coalition agreement, and its promoters acknowledge that Eisenkot has given no indication he is willing to discuss it. Under the reported sequence, Haredi parties would initially remain outside the coalition while the government passes the conscription legislation. They could join afterward. Those advancing the idea believe this would allow the Haredi parties to avoid direct responsibility for passing the law while enabling Eisenkot to claim an achievement on conscription. These are the promoters’ expectations, rather than commitments from either Eisenkot or the Haredi parties. Unnamed figures in the change bloc oppose Eisenkot entering a Netanyahu-led government, describing such a move as politically and ethically disastrous. The reported initiative comes despite Eisenkot’s prior commitment not to serve under Netanyahu. No willingness by Eisenkot to reverse that position is established in the report. Both camps are awaiting final election results, which the report says are expected to become clearer at the weekend. Netanyahu associates are also discussing a different route if his bloc approaches 60 seats: trying to recruit defectors. That remains another contemplated option, rather than a confirmed arrangement.