Ultra-Orthodox Parties Set Strict Demands for Coalition Support
Translated & summarized from JDN by baba
The ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party has set strict conditions for coalition participation, demanding a blanket exemption from military service for yeshiva students and the passage of a law regulating their status before accepting any government roles. This stance was formalized in an agreement between its constituent parties, Degel HaTorah and Agudath Yisrael. The party also outlined internal decision-making protocols and the formation of a management committee to address key issues.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- United Torah Judaism demands a military service exemption for all yeshiva students without sanctions.
- A law regulating the status of Torah scholars must pass before UTJ supports coalition legislation.
- UTJ lawmakers will not accept government or Knesset roles until the Torah scholars' status is legislated.
- The agreement was made between Degel HaTorah and Agudath Yisrael before the 26th Knesset elections.
- Avigdor Lieberman previously stated a willingness to compromise on the conscription law.
Ahead of potential coalition negotiations, the United Torah Judaism (UTJ) alliance has solidified its stance on the conscription issue, outlining non-negotiable demands for any party seeking their support to form a government. The agreement, signed between Degel HaTorah and Agudath Yisrael before the 26th Knesset elections, explicitly states that all yeshiva students must receive an exemption from military service without any sanctions.
Furthermore, the agreement stipulates that a law to regulate the status of Torah scholars must be passed before UTJ will support any coalition legislation or accept ministerial or deputy ministerial positions, or chairmanships of Knesset committees. This condition ties the legislative process directly to the granting of government and Knesset roles, ensuring that UTJ lawmakers will not join a government until the status of yeshiva students is officially addressed.
This firm position from UTJ, which secured seven mandates in the recent elections, comes in the backdrop of Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman expressing willingness to compromise on the conscription law to facilitate government formation. While Lieberman has not detailed his proposed compromises, the UTJ agreement clarifies the unwavering stance the faction has committed to in negotiations.
The agreement also details internal UTJ decision-making processes, emphasizing that decisions will be made by consensus, binding all its Knesset members and officials. A management committee will be established to handle significant issues, including the status of Torah scholars, education, and religion-state matters, composed of one representative from Degel HaTorah and two from Agudath Yisrael, with an emphasis that this composition does not grant Agudath Yisrael preferential decision-making power.
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