Change Bloc Faces Legal Hurdle on Haredi Coalition Deal
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
The "Change Bloc" coalition faces a legal challenge in passing the Haredi draft conscription law before forming a government, as legal experts advise it must be a government bill to pass judicial review. This means legislation will be delayed until after the government is formed. President Isaac Herzog will assign the mandate to form a government on Sunday, with factions recommending either Gadi Eisenkot or Benjamin Netanyahu.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Senior legal officials believe the Haredi draft conscription law requires government submission to pass judicial review.
- The Haredi conscription law's passage is now expected to be delayed until after a new government is formed.
- The "Change Bloc" plans to establish special committees to advance urgent legislation in the new Knesset.
- President Herzog will assign the government formation mandate on Sunday.
- Factions recommended Gadi Eisenkot (67 MKs) and Benjamin Netanyahu (46 MKs) for the mandate.
The "Change Bloc" coalition faces a significant legal obstacle in its path to forming a partnership with Haredi parties, specifically concerning the highly contentious draft law on military conscription for yeshiva students. Senior legal officials estimate that the conscription law cannot be passed before a new government is established. Their reasoning is that for the law to withstand scrutiny by the High Court of Justice (Bagatz), it must be submitted as a formal government bill.
This legal assessment means that even if the Change Bloc and the Haredi parties reach an agreement on the conscription law prior to government formation, its legislative process will only be completed after the government is sworn in. The legal advisor to the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee also reportedly favors advancing the conscription law through the government's legislative track.
This development comes as the Change Bloc prepares to advance legislative initiatives in the new Knesset. Reports indicate that the bloc's leaders have decided to establish six to eight special committees to focus on urgent legislation that can be passed with their parliamentary majority. The legal considerations regarding the conscription law's submission route are crucial due to potential High Court review.
Meanwhile, President Isaac Herzog announced on Thursday, following consultations with Knesset factions, that he intends to task someone with forming the government on Sunday. He stated that factions comprising 67 MKs recommended Gadi Eisenkot, while 46 MKs recommended Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The president has yet to officially announce who will receive the mandate to form the next government.
