Ultra-Orthodox Parties Open to Concessions on Conscription Law
Translated & summarized from Makan by baba
Ultra-Orthodox parties, represented by Agudath Yisrael and United Torah Judaism, are open to negotiating a conscription law solution, according to Avraham Yustman and Yaakov Asher. UTJ will not recommend a prime minister candidate, prioritizing the conscription issue. Yaakov Asher welcomed political flexibility on the matter but regretted past animosity. Any proposal will be reviewed by senior rabbis.
The story in 4 lines · by baba
- Ultra-Orthodox parties are open to negotiating a conscription law solution, according to Agudath Yisrael representative Avraham Yustman.
- United Torah Judaism will not recommend a candidate for prime minister, focusing on the conscription law.
- Yaakov Asher welcomed political flexibility on the conscription issue, including from Avigdor Lieberman.
- Asher expressed regret over past animosity and stated any proposal requires approval from senior rabbis.
A representative for the Agudath Yisrael party stated on Friday that the ultra-Orthodox parties are open to political negotiations regarding the sensitive issue of military conscription for yeshiva students. Avraham Yustman, Agudath Yisrael's representative on the Elections Committee, told Kan radio that any party proposing an acceptable legal solution to the conscription issue would receive a positive response. He indicated that negotiations would focus on the specific wording of the law and the non-negotiable positions of the ultra-Orthodox parties, noting a shift in their stance towards considering various options.
These remarks followed consultations with the President, after which the United Torah Judaism (UTJ) party announced it would not recommend any candidate for prime minister. Yaakov Asher, chairman of UTJ, welcomed the flexibility shown by various political factions, including Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman's willingness to make "painful concessions" on the conscription law to form a government. Asher expressed relief at this flexibility but lamented the animosity between segments of the population, suggesting it could have been avoided with earlier flexibility.
Asher added that any proposal would first be presented to senior rabbis for approval. The UTJ's decision not to recommend a candidate signals their continued focus on the conscription issue as a primary condition for government participation.
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