Tensions within the governing coalition escalated this week as United Torah Judaism (UTJ) declared that it would maintain its boycott of Knesset votes, a move aimed at pressuring the government over its failure to pass legislation that would safeguard military draft exemptions for chareidi yeshiva students.
The boycott, which began last week, came in response to statements by Brigadier General Shai Taib, the IDF’s head of manpower, who raised alarms about an urgent shortage of personnel. Taib emphasized the military’s immediate need for an additional 12,000 soldiers, including 7,000 for combat roles—figures that underscore the mounting push to broaden conscription and potentially eliminate longstanding exemptions.
Because of UTJ’s refusal to participate in parliamentary voting, the coalition was compelled to remove several significant items from Wednesday’s legislative docket. Among the shelved bills were a contentious measure to separate the responsibilities of the government’s legal adviser and another proposal to increase the pay of Knesset members, cabinet ministers, and the Prime Minister.
Signaling the seriousness of the political impasse, Prime Minister Netanyahu is slated to attend a confidential session of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee this Sunday at 15:30. The briefing will center on the military’s enlistment needs and the broader political fallout of the ongoing battle over draft exemptions.
Channel 13 reported that members of the coalition and individuals close to Netanyahu have reached out to Shas leaders, asking them not to contribute to what they termed a “negative dynamic of dismantling the coalition and the government.”
In response, Shas issued a statement declaring, “We will not be a political cover for Netanyahu and for the members of United Torah Judaism.” The party is expected to sustain its boycott into the coming week as well.
{Matzav.com}