The political future of Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s government hangs in the balance this week, as Gedolei Yisroel issue a firm ultimatum: substantial progress must be made by Shavuos on the legislation of a new draft law and the formal recognition of yeshiva students’ status — or the coalition risks unraveling.
In a high-stakes gathering held in Bnei Brak ahead of the state budget vote, the Gerrer Rebbe raised the possibility of voting against the budget and toppling the coalition in protest over the stalled draft legislation. The emergency meeting took place at the home of Rav Dov Landau and was attended by Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch and other leading roshei yeshiva.
After deliberation, the Gedolim decided that the Yahadus HaTorah faction would support the budget — but only on condition that meaningful legislative progress on the draft law is achieved by Shavuos. If no such progress is seen, the Gedolim will reconvene to determine the future of the coalition, with withdrawal remaining a clear option.
A formal statement released after the meeting read: “At the meeting of Maranan verabbanan Gedolei Yisroel, Rav Dov Landau, Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, and the Admor of Gur, the urgent need to resolve the legal status of bnei hayeshivos — so they can continue learning Torah undisturbed — was reaffirmed. A plan of action was agreed upon for Yahadus HaTorah MKs to pursue with the prime minister. If there is no progress by Shavuos, the Gedolim will gather once more to make a final decision. In the absence of progress, they will exit the coalition.”
In recent weeks, chareidi Knesset members have upped the pressure on Netanyahu by refusing to vote with the coalition on Wednesdays, effectively stalling legislative activity.
Despite initial warnings to the chareidi party heads that early elections could be triggered, Netanyahu has so far chosen to endure the parliamentary turbulence. His unspoken strategy appears to be delaying any real confrontation until the winter session of the Knesset, hoping to navigate through the current summer term intact.
Meanwhile, the picture within the chareidi parties remains divided. Members of Shas have indicated some “progress” in negotiations over a new draft arrangement, with the party’s weekly publication echoing cautious optimism. However, representatives of Degel HaTorah say they are unaware of any such progress, while Agudas Yisroel has gone further, denying that any movement has occurred at all.
According to sources in Agudas Yisroel, recent talks collapsed completely due to conditions set by MK Yuli Edelstein, head of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, who has demanded significant concessions in any draft legislation.
{Matzav.com Israel}