Israeli Coalition Considers Unusual Move to Delay Knesset Dissolution Amid Controversial Legislation Deal

The Israeli coalition is exploring an unusual legal maneuver to postpone the dissolution of the Knesset, aiming to buy time to pass a package of laws agreed upon between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and ultra-Orthodox parties. This move explicitly disregards legal counsel guidelines regarding mandatory election timelines. Meanwhile, the Knesset's legal advisor, Attorney Shagit Afek, has voiced opposition to the emerging deal between Netanyahu and the ultra-Orthodox factions concerning legislation to prevent arrests of draft dodgers. This legislation is part of the broader "package of laws" negotiated with Degel HaTorah leader Moshe Gafni and Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, potentially jeopardizing the initiative.

Afek's objections are based on both technical and substantive grounds, threatening to derail the legislative process. Despite these legal challenges, Netanyahu has indicated his intention to proceed with the plan. The day before, following a tripartite meeting with the Prime Minister where the law package was tentatively agreed upon prior to Knesset dissolution, Deri and Gafni issued a joint statement declaring they had delivered an unequivocal demand to advance immediately the Basic Law on Torah Study and the law preventing arrests of Torah students.

Gafni and Deri were assured that the Basic Law on Torah Study, which was approved for its first reading by the Knesset Committee on Tuesday, along with the law preventing arrests of draft dodgers and the cancellation of the kosher certification reform, would be promoted. In return, they pledged to advance legislation to split the role of Attorney General and to establish a non-governmental investigative committee. Notably, Deri retracted his demand to legislate the cancellation of the kosher certification reform initiated by former Minister of Religious Services Matan Kahana.