Amid the mass mobilization of IDF reservists for the anticipated expansion of the IDF’s ground maneuver in Gaza, a senior figure within Israel’s ruling coalition has clarified that the Chok HaGiyus (Draft Law), which addresses the military service exemption for yeshiva students, will not be brought forward anytime soon.
A source within the coalition informed senior members of the chareidi factions that advancing legislation on the draft law and formally defining the legal status of yeshiva students will have to be postponed.
With tens of thousands of reserve call-up orders being issued, the official warned that any attempt to push the issue now would trigger fierce backlash, both from within the coalition and from a broader public that is highly sensitive to perceived inequalities in national service during wartime.
This development comes as chareidi parties have threatened to withhold support for government legislation if there is no significant progress on the draft law, which they view as a core commitment.
Responsibility for coordinating the draft law efforts on behalf of Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu lies with Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs. Over the past month, Fuchs has been preoccupied with the internal crisis surrounding the dismissal of the head of the Shin Bet. Now, with the Knesset’s summer session beginning, he is expected to resume his role leading efforts to promote the law.
A senior coalition official confirmed the delay, stating, “I hope the chareidi parties understand that the issue of the draft law will not come up in the near future. It simply won’t pass in the coalition, and certainly not in the current public climate, when tens of thousands of reserve orders have just gone out. We’ll have to postpone the legislation for some time.”
Adding to the public tension, Likud MK Almog Iluz addressed reservists directly last night, apologizing: “I’m sorry I haven’t yet been able to secure the rotation you deserve. There are those who always show up—and those who simply don’t. That must change. I’m fighting for this—and I will continue to fight until it happens. I won’t give up.”
As previously reported, deep disagreements are playing out behind the scenes. Leading gedolei Yisroel have called for a draft law free of penalties—particularly personal sanctions—while a deal brokered between Shas chairman Aryeh Deri and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s successor, Yisroel Katz, reportedly includes individual sanctions against the yeshiva world if draft quotas are not met. This fundamental conflict continues to stall progress and raise serious questions about the future of the legislation.
 {Matzav.com Israel}