Report: Chareidi Parties Expected to Oppose Upcoming Draft Bill, But Will Remain in Coalition

Despite increasing pressure to introduce new draft legislation in the coming days, the chareidi parties are expected to oppose the proposed bill, but without threatening the stability of the coalition government, according to a report by Kan News.

With a ticking political clock, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s inner circle is under mounting pressure to present a draft of the new giyus (IDF draft) law to avoid a coalition crisis and fulfill promises made to the chareidi factions. A failure to bring a bill forward by next Wednesday could escalate tensions, as chareidi representatives have warned of taking stronger action if no legislative progress is seen.

According to Kan, a draft version of the law is expected to be submitted in the coming days and presented to the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. Negotiations with the chareidi parties are in their final stages and are expected to continue tomorrow as part of the process of presenting an initial draft.

One significant change reportedly included in the bill is a clause mandating the enlistment of over 4,800 chareidi men in the first year of implementation, a point of concern within the chareidi community.

While there has been vocal opposition from United Torah Judaism and Shas regarding any legislation that would require thousands of bochurim to enlist in the IDF, senior chareidi sources told Kan that they do not intend to leave the coalition over the introduction of the bill, signaling a pragmatic approach despite ideological objections.

This political development comes as Netanyahu appointed MK Yisrael Eichler as Minister of Housing, under pressure from Agudas Yisrael to return control of the ministry to the party. Eichler will serve in this role until Minister Yitzchak Goldknopf, who stepped down temporarily, is able to resume his position.

Officials in the Prime Minister’s Office have expressed hope that Goldknopf will soon return to his ministerial duties, a move that would further stabilize the coalition and reinforce the government’s efforts to advance the draft law before the looming deadline next Wednesday.

{Matzav.com Israel}