Gantz, Golan rage at Netanyahu-Haredi emerging deal as 'hostage-taking'

Opposition leaders Benny Gantz (National Unity) and Yair Golan (Democrats) excoriated Prime Minister Netanyahu over an emerging political deal with Haredi parties. Gantz said the future Zionist unity government will not let anyone 'hold the country hostage,' while Golan charged Netanyahu is 'selling Israel for the Haredim.' Reported by Amit Segal (N12).

The latest backlash from opposition leaders follows reports by Amit Segal earlier Tuesday of a political deal between Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Haredi parties, reportedly setting elections for October 20 in exchange for advancing agreed legislation (as The Zioneer reported at 17:56).

MK Benny Gantz, who has positioned his National Unity party as the main centrist alternative in the upcoming elections, said in a statement: 'In the broad Zionist government we will establish after the elections, no one will hold the country hostage' — directly referencing the reported Haredi condition on the deal. Yair Golan, chairman of the opposition Democrats party, went further, accusing Netanyahu of trading Israel's long-term interests for political survival: 'Netanyahu is selling Israel for the Haredim.'

The criticism echoes and intensifies a line of attack from earlier Tuesday, when war cabinet member MK Gadi Eisenkot (National Unity) charged that Netanyahu is conducting a 'liquidation sale of national interests' for the same deal (as The Zioneer reported at 18:35). All three opposition figures have anchored their attacks on the emerging political pact — which has not been formally confirmed by the Prime Minister's Office — ahead of elections widely expected within months.

3 developments

1. 2 hours ago · 19:13 · 23 JunLatest

   Yair Golan joins criticism, accusing Netanyahu of selling out the country.

2. 18:35 · 23 Jun

   Benny Gantz joins criticism, stating no one will hold the country hostage.

3. 18:27 · 23 Jun

   Gantz ally Eisenkot opposes Netanyahu-Haredi deal, calls it a 'liquidation sale' of national interests

• Developing14:42 · 15 JunGantz, Liberman, Lapid slam Netanyahu's handling of reported US-Iran deal in faction meetings
• Strong14:41 · 15 JunGantz says he feels only concern, not schadenfreude, over emerging deal
• Developing2 hours ago · 19:24 · 23 JunFamilies of fallen soldiers condemn Netanyahu's deal with Haredi parties
• Developing1 hour ago · 19:43 · 23 JunReligious Zionism and Otzma Yehudit remain silent on reported Netanyahu-Haredi deal

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