Government postpones discussion on Haredi draft bill

The government meeting, during which the conscription bill was set to be considered and voted on, has been postponed due to disagreements within the coalition.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently in discussions with the heads of coalition parties, aiming to reach an agreement on the wording of the law.

The timing of the government meeting's commencement and whether it will occur today remain unknown.

A day earlier, the Yediot Ahronot newspaper reported that changes were being made to the draft conscription law. According to the published information, the provision raising the age of exemption from military service to 35 years has been removed. This provision faced sharp criticism as it allowed yeshiva students to study or remain enrolled in yeshiva until the age of 35 without being drafted into the military or holding any official employment.

Citing an anonymous representative of the ultra-Orthodox parties, Yediot Ahronot stated that the revised text would also incorporate economic penalties for evading service, with the consent of Shas and Yahadut HaTorah. No criminal penalties are included.

It was mentioned that the bill would be presented to the cabinet for consideration in the absence of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who is currently visiting the United States. Gallant opposes the bill and has stated that he will not support it in the vote. Minister Benny Gantz indicated that he would leave the government if the bill was approved in its current form.

Earlier, government legal adviser Gali Baharav Miara informed government secretary Yossi Fuchs that she would not represent the government if a lawsuit were filed with BAGATZ against this bill.