Netanyahu pushes ahead with calls on ultra-Orthodox priority bills
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spent the past few hours in a round of calls with Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, Defense Minister Israel Katz, coalition chairman Ofir Katz and Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman Boaz Bismuth, ahead of the start of discussions on two controversial bills: the draft-exemption bill and a Basic Law on Torah study.
The move comes amid heavy pressure from Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, who is urging Netanyahu to advance both measures, which ultra-Orthodox factions see as a core demand. The bills are expected to become a key political test as the coalition prepares for debate.
On Monday, Netanyahu met with Deri and with Degel HaTorah chairman Moshe Gafni. During that meeting, he reportedly told them he intends to go “all the way” with promoting the two bills before any move to dissolve the Knesset.
Despite that pledge, skepticism remains inside the ultra-Orthodox parties. One senior ultra-Orthodox figure said, “Netanyahu has been promising us this for several weeks. We will see whether this time he keeps his word.”
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