Coalition Seeks Fast-Tracked Draft Law After Ultra-Orthodox Demand

Israel's coalition is planning to strip almost everything from the draft law and keep only the clause dealing with amnesty for draft evaders, in an effort to move it quickly, KAN Reshet Bet reported Thursday morning. The plan comes in response to pressure from the ultra-Orthodox parties, which want progress on enlistment legislation.

The Knesset legal adviser, Shagith Afik, has already told people in private discussions that she will oppose the move on legal grounds. Despite that warning, coalition leaders are determined to push ahead, saying they want to accelerate the legislation even though starting a law from scratch in a fast-track procedure is legally complicated.

Likud has already promised Shas chairman Aryeh Deri that it would bring the bill, but because of the legal difficulties the target date was pushed back to Monday. At the same time, Degel HaTorah chairman Moshe Gafni and representatives of the Ashkenazi ultra-Orthodox parties do not see the shortened draft as a proper solution and are still insisting on passing the daycare bill, which currently lacks a majority.