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Ultra-Orthodox parties say opposed to joining coalition with Yesh Atid

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Leaders of the two main ultra-Orthodox political parties have both expressed strong opposition to joining a coalition with Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid party in the aftermath of next month’s general election.

With the polls indicating a tight race between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party and the Zionist Union headed by Isaac Herzog and Tzipi Livni, the ultra-Orthodox parties are likely to be key to either side forming a government. Current polls indicate that the two largest ultra-Orthodox parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism could win between 6-8 seats each at the 17 March general election.

Earlier this week, Shas leader Ayreh Deri did not rule out joining a coalition alongside Yesh Atid but said that if party leader Yair Lapid refuses to alter his stance on various issues, “there’s no situation in which we can sit together.” Yesterday, Yaakov Litzman, a senior MK in United Torah Judaism was even more forceful, saying ,“I am fiercely opposed to sitting with Yesh Atid in the next government.” During the last government, Yesh Atid spearheaded legislation to enlist more ultra-Orthodox students in the IDF, which was fiercely opposed by the ultra-Orthodox community. Lapid’s party is considered more likely to join a Zionist Union-led coalition, rather than one headed by Likud.

Meanwhile, former Shas leader Eli Yishai, who split to form his own Yachad Party in December, is reportedly set to receive an electoral boost with influential religious-Zionist Rabbi Dov Lior apparently set to endorse the party. Yishai left Shas following a bitter rift with Deri and polls indicate it is questionable whether Yachad will pass the electoral threshold.

Although unlikely to pass the threshold, a new female ultra-Orthodox party called Bezchutan will also contest next month’s election. With ultra-Orthodox parties until now exclusively dominated by male candidates, female ultra-Orthodox activist Ruth Colian announced the new protest party last month. She told Army Radio that Bezchutan would disband if the other ultra-Orthodox parties agree to include female candidates.