The chairman of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Boaz Bismuth of Likud, announced Thursday that he has presented an updated outline regarding the chareidi draft issue to the committee’s legal advisor.
“Based on this document, a draft law will be formulated in the coming days to guide the committee in continuing the legislative process to regulate the issue of military conscription,” Bismuth’s office stated.
According to a report by KAN News, the proposal outlines a framework under which half of the chareidi draft-age population would be enlisted within five years. The age of exemption would be set at 26, and reductions to yeshiva budgets would only take effect after one year.
The plan also includes a gradual implementation of personal sanctions for those who fail to enlist, to be introduced over a two-year period — and only if the draft goals are not achieved.
Bismuth expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu “for his full support throughout the process.”
He also extended thanks to former MK Ariel Atias of Shas “for his cooperation and significant involvement” in shaping the proposal.
Both chareidi parties — Shas and United Torah Judaism — withdrew from the coalition in July following a breakdown in negotiations over the draft law.
Sources close to Shas leader Arye Deri told KAN News that even presenting the principles of the new proposal could be sufficient grounds for the party to return to the coalition when the Knesset reconvenes for its winter session.
The Knesset is set to return next week after its summer recess. While no legislation is passed during the break, committees continue to meet to prepare bills for future discussion.
Following the departure of the chareidi factions from the coalition, Yuli Edelstein was removed from his position as committee chair and replaced by Bismuth, who has since been leading deliberations on advancing the legislation.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid of Yesh Atid harshly criticized the proposed outline, accusing Bismuth and Netanyahu of putting politics above principle. He said the plan sends a message to IDF soldiers that “all that matters to Bismuth and Netanyahu is politics and appeasing the draft dodgers.”
Lapid added, “on this very day, the national memorial day for October 7, they’re trying in the shadows to push through a draft-dodging law, stitched together between the ultra-Orthodox MKs and Likud.”
Israel Hofsheet CEO Uri Keidar likewise condemned the move, claiming that “Bismuth is trying to fast-track the evasion legislation for which he was appointed.”
{Matzav.com}
This proposal is very far from a draft evasion bill.
This would shutter many Yeshivos and Kollelim across Israel in under a decade
The point is, of course, to shut down/destroy the Torah world there.