Netanyahu Pledged to Help Pass Ultra-Orthodox Bills, but Coalition Stalls Them

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly told Shas chairman Aryeh Deri in a private meeting last Wednesday that he would secure a majority for two key ultra-Orthodox bills, a Basic Law on Torah study and a detention law, and that both would pass in second and third readings in the current Knesset. According to the report, Netanyahu also said he himself would line up the votes needed in the plenum.

Despite that pledge, the coalition has not advanced the legislation, and Deri has now instructed Shas to block all coalition bills until the two measures move forward. He told the faction that as long as the bill to stop arrests and the Basic Law on Torah study are not promoted, Shas will not support any coalition legislation.

Degel HaTorah chairman Moshe Gafni issued a similar warning, saying he would not advance any legislation without a clear commitment. In the Knesset Constitution Committee, Gafni said, “As long as the apartments law is not approved, no bill will pass,” and added, “I am tired of false promises, I will not be humiliated again.” He also said that if the committee approves moving the Basic Law on Torah study from the Constitution Committee to the Knesset Committee, he wants to know in advance, as the bill’s sponsor, whether the coalition באמת intends to advance and approve it.

Senior figures in Shas and Degel HaTorah also warned coalition leaders that they would not let Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi’s communications bill pass until the important ultra-Orthodox bills are approved in the plenum. Shas said no coalition bill, including the communications bill, would pass until the Basic Law on Torah study and the detention bill advance, while Gafni said the same would apply until the apartments law is approved.

One senior ultra-Orthodox lawmaker complained that it was unacceptable for Netanyahu to be finishing his term after three and a half years without passing any major law for the ultra-Orthodox community. Deri also addressed recent violent arrests of Torah students, saying such arrests “must stop,” and expressing anger over how police are treating yeshiva students.