In a dramatic overnight development, the leadership of Degel HaTorah and Shas announced their opposition to the proposed dissolution of the Knesset. The decision followed extensive negotiations with MK Yoel “Yuli” Edelstein, chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, and amid significant pressure from Shas chairman Aryeh Deri.
Shortly after midnight, Slabodka rosh yeshiva Rav Dov Landau issued clear instructions: if a vote on the dissolution of the Knesset was brought to the floor, Degel HaTorah and Shas lawmakers were to vote against it. A statement released from Rav Landau’s residence read, “After hearing all the commitments, Rav Dov Landau instructs the chareidi representatives to delay by one week the decision regarding the dissolution of the Knesset and to oppose such a vote if it is brought before the plenum tonight.”
Despite this directive, the opposition declared its intention to bring the bill forward, reportedly hoping to create a rift within the chareidi bloc by encouraging Agudas Yisroel MKs to vote in favor and thereby split from Degel HaTorah and Shas.
Indeed, the bill to dissolve the Knesset was defeated early Thursday morning in a preliminary reading in the Knesset.
61 MKs voted against the proposal, while 53 voted in favor.
In a joint statement released by Degel HaTorah and Shas, party representatives confirmed: “Following extended discussions with MK Yuli Edelstein, chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, understandings were reached regarding the principles of a draft law preserving the status of yeshiva students.”
The joint statement further explained, “As additional days are needed to finalize the text of the legislation, and based on the directives of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Degel HaTorah and the Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah of Shas, it was decided to delay the Knesset dissolution vote until next week. This time is necessary to complete the legislative process and reach a final draft. Accordingly, we call on the opposition to postpone their proposal to dissolve the Knesset until next week. Should they proceed regardless, we will vote against the dissolution.”

MK Yuli Edelstein expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “I am pleased to announce that after extensive discussions, we reached agreement on the principles upon which the draft bill will be based. As I’ve stated all along, only a genuine, effective proposal that expands the IDF’s recruitment base will move forward from the committee I chair. I held firm on this. This is a historic development. We are on the path toward meaningful societal reform and strengthening Israel’s national security. The committee will soon begin deliberations on the bill as it advances toward second and third readings. We are on the road to history.”
Meanwhile, opposition leader Yair Lapid launched a fierce attack during his address to the plenum. “Once again, you’ve spit in the faces of IDF soldiers. Once again, you’ve sold out our fighters — for what? Two more weeks? Three? The chareidim had two choices tonight — either lose the draft dodging bill or lose the government. The government helped them choose draft dodging.”
He continued, “The government helped them ignore reservists and stitch together draft exemptions for tens of thousands of healthy young men. It won’t work. When coalitions begin to collapse, they collapse. It’s begun, and you know it’s begun. This is what it looks like when a government starts to die.”
{Matzav.com Israel}