UTJ leads talks with Eisenkot-led bloc due to deep Shas-Likud ties, ex-Shas spokesperson says

Former Shas spokesperson Itzik Sudri discussed the differences between Shas and United Torah Judaism (UTJ) in a Thursday interview on 103FM, amid ongoing talks between the Ashkenazi ultra-Orthodox (haredi) party and the bloc led by Yashar chair Gadi Eisenkot.

Sudri explained why UTJ is taking the lead in the negotiations, assessed that Shas would struggle to join a government led by the change bloc, and highlighted the bloc's willingness to compromise on the military conscription law.

Sudri began by discussing the differences between Ashkenazi and Sephardi haredi leadership and how they affect the prospects for political cooperation.

"There is a fundamental difference between the approaches of the different leaderships, between the Ashkenazi ultra-Orthodox leadership and the Sephardi ultra-Orthodox leadership," he said.

According to Sudri, "The Sephardi ultra-Orthodox leadership represents a diverse public, not just the hardcore ultra-Orthodox public."

"It has additional circles of religious and traditional Jews. A Sephardi rabbi's synagogue truly includes everyone, from the ultra-Orthodox person to the person who comes to pray. It includes everyone, whereas an Ashkenazi ultra-Orthodox synagogue includes only Ashkenazim."

He then addressed the position of Shas chairman Arye Deri and explained why the party is unlikely to join a government led by the change bloc.

"Arye Deri is the chairman of the movement. His position is not in question. He is stronger than ever," explained Sudri. "There is an alliance here between Shas and the Right and traditional Jews that runs deep. Traditional Jews come from the very flesh of Likud."

Asked whether Shas could join a "change" government, Sudri dismissed the possibility, citing the party's broader political and social commitments.

"I do not see such a possibility. Shas's agenda is much broader. It is not only Yavne and its sages, but also Ashkelon and its traditions," he said. "We need to let United Torah Judaism lead this matter. How did someone put it? United Torah Judaism is the Shabbat goy in this matter."

Eisenkot-led bloc has 'enormous motivation' to accommodate UTJ

Sudri stressed that UTJ faces internal divisions that must be addressed before it can reach an agreement with the Eisenkot-led bloc. He said a central challenge would be securing the support of the party's various factions and rabbinical leaders.

"We need to talk about United Torah Judaism before we get to Shas," said Sudri. "I agree that there is still considerable room to maneuver. Look at United Torah Judaism in all its factions. After all, United Torah Judaism, the Ashkenazi ultra-Orthodox party, also has different layers: Hasidim and Lithuanians.

"How does this come together into a situation in which all the rabbis and all the Hasidic courts of United Torah Judaism, from the Ashkenazi ultra-Orthodox public, agree to it?" he asked.

Despite these challenges, Sudri said the change bloc appeared highly motivated to reach an agreement with UTJ, particularly on the military conscription law, one of the central issues in the negotiations.

"There is enormous motivation on the part of the Eisenkot-led bloc to accommodate United Torah Judaism on the issue of the conscription law. United Torah Judaism has a sacred and overriding interest in regularizing the status of those who study Torah," he said.

Obstacles stand in the way of advancing negotiations

Sudri explained that the two sides have overlapping political interests that could help advance negotiations, although significant obstacles remain.

"These interests come together around removing [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu from power. That is the overarching goal. On the other matters, they are certainly willing to make concessions and reach an arrangement," he said.

However, Sudri cautioned that any agreement would need to satisfy two major conditions: approval from the Ashkenazi haredi rabbinical leadership and the ability to withstand judicial scrutiny.

"Every decision must come from the great Ashkenazi Torah sages, and on the other hand, it must also receive the approval of the High Court of Justice in the future. It is difficult for me to see right now how the wording being developed and formulated can overcome all these problems."

Sudri concluded by noting that Degel HaTorah, one of UTJ's constituent factions, has expanded its demands beyond the legal status of yeshiva students to include broader concerns about the haredi way of life and the independence of its education system.

"Degel HaTorah has gradually raised the bar for its demands. It came and said, regularizing the status of Torah students, but there are two other issues: preserving the status quo and maintaining independence within ultra-Orthodox education," he concluded.