Ultra-Orthodox Parties Demand Draft Exemption Halt for Coalition Support
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Ultra-Orthodox parties are demanding a halt to mandatory military conscription and the cancellation of draft dodger arrests as conditions for supporting the "Change Bloc" coalition. They seek a temporary order, lasting at least a year, and require legal guarantees for this arrangement. Negotiations are ongoing, with the parties emphasizing that government formation depends on reaching an agreement on these terms.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Ultra-Orthodox parties demand a halt to mandatory conscription and cancellation of draft dodger arrests for coalition support.
- They seek a temporary order lasting at least one year, requiring legal guarantees.
- The parties want Knesset legislation for the conscription arrangement, not just a government decision.
- Negotiations are ongoing, with claims of exaggerated rumors about agreements.
- United Torah Judaism states government formation is contingent on these conscription terms.
Ultra-Orthodox parties are setting clear conditions for their support of the "Change Bloc" coalition, demanding a temporary order to halt the general conscription mandate and cancel arrests and sanctions for draft dodgers. This demand is aimed at securing legal approval from the Attorney General and the High Court of Justice.
The parties are seeking a transitional arrangement, lasting at least one year, until a comprehensive conscription agreement is reached. They require guarantees for the consent of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and potentially the legal advisor to the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. The ultra-Orthodox are looking to a decision made by the outgoing Netanyahu government, which temporarily halted conscription proceedings for yeshiva students pending new legislation.
However, the current demand differs from the previous situation, as the prior law was not fully repealed. Therefore, the ultra-Orthodox parties are likely to insist on Knesset legislation rather than just a government decision. Negotiations are ongoing, with senior figures in the ultra-Orthodox public and sources close to Avigdor Lieberman's party suggesting that rumors of an agreement are exaggerated.
United Torah Judaism clarified that they will not prevent or support a minority government with Arab parties without concessions, emphasizing that any government formation is contingent on negotiations regarding the terms of the ultra-Orthodox conscription arrangement.
