To win over Gantz, Chareidi MKs are trying to broker a deal between Netanyahu and Gallant

Several chareidi MKs have intervened in the political deadlock that the Israeli government has reached due to the dismissal of defense minister Gallant to mend the divisions and broaden the government.

Last week, Shas leader Aryeh Deri spent much time mediating between the prime minister and Gallant. Deri has been urging Netanyahu to change his mind about firing Gallant in exchange for the minister’s public apologies for his comments.

According to the Walla news website and the Kan public television, Deri and Gallant met on Wednesday to discuss a compromise agreement with Netanyahu to maintain Gallant in his position.

According to the media, Gallant is willing to retract his warning about security dangers without apologizing for the timing of his remarks against the legislation. Gallant was initially offered a chance to return by Netanyahu if he gave up his Knesset seat, which would have bound him to the ruling party for the duration of the present Knesset.

Gallant, however, has not yet consented to this need.

Benny Gantz, the head of the opposition National Unity, declared on Thursday that “any other coalition member [except Gallant] who secures the role would become a defense minister with an asterisk.”

I kindly request that none of the coalition’s members adopt a stance that would compromise security and strengthen our adversaries.

As this is going on, UTJ head Moshe Gafni is attempting to court Gantz personally, whose popularity has recently skyrocketed due to his centrist stance and refusal to appease opponents of reform.

Gafni and Gantz recently met to reach a consensus on a broad framework for judicial reform. At the same time, Gafni is attempting to install Gantz in the government to “balance” the right-wing stance of Smotrich and Ben-Gvir and preserve some stability in the volatile political environment in Israel.

Gantz has turned down all invitations to join the current coalition because he fears Netanyahu after the latter broke a rotation deal with him in 2021.