Bloc of Change Proposes Dramatic Plan for Haredim on Draft Law
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
The "Bloc of Change" parties are negotiating with United Torah Judaism to pass a temporary draft law before forming a government, facing legal challenges from the Attorney General. They are also considering legislation to halt arrests of Haredi draft dodgers. Avigdor Lieberman chairs a new temporary committee that may discuss these issues, but legal obstacles remain. The aim is to facilitate coalition talks.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Bloc of Change parties are negotiating a temporary draft law with Haredi representatives before government formation.
- Legal advisors have raised concerns about advancing draft legislation before a new government is formed.
- A temporary solution is being explored to address Haredi demands and facilitate coalition talks.
- The Bloc of Change is also considering legislation to halt arrests of Haredi draft dodgers.
- Avigdor Lieberman chairs a new temporary Knesset committee that could discuss these legislative proposals.
The "Bloc of Change" parties are engaged in urgent legal discussions with representatives of the United Torah Judaism party to formulate an agreed-upon draft law for military conscription. The goal is to pass legislation before a new government is formed, according to a report by Shirit Cohen Avitan. A temporary legislative solution is being considered to address the demands of the Haredi parties and facilitate coalition talks.
A significant hurdle is the Attorney General's opposition to applying the continuity clause to the draft law previously advanced in the 24th Knesset. The Attorney General insists on a government-led legislative process. The Bloc of Change is now seeking a legal pathway to advance the legislation before a new government is established, as Knesset legal advisors have also indicated that a new draft law cannot be advanced before government formation.
The proposed interim solution involves targeted, short-term legislation to temporarily meet Haredi demands and enable coalition negotiations, bypassing the need for a permanent draft law. Additionally, the Bloc of Change is exploring legislation to halt the arrest of Haredi draft dodgers, a sensitive issue within the Haredi community. This would also be temporary legislation, with guarantees for future amendments.
This move is politically significant due to past reversals. Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had promised similar legislation, drawing sharp criticism from the opposition. Now, the Bloc of Change is pursuing a legal solution to the same issue. Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, who previously labeled Netanyahu a "hostage of draft dodgers," is a key figure in this effort.
The Knesset recently approved the formation of a temporary Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, chaired by Lieberman. This committee is expected to be a venue for discussing and advancing these laws, provided a legal formula can be found. However, even with political agreement, legislative passage is not guaranteed. Some political figures fear that Miriam Frankl Shor, the legal advisor to the committee, may create difficulties for temporary solutions that would allow continued draft exemptions for Haredi youth. Discussions are ongoing to find a legal and politically acceptable framework for United Torah Judaism to allow coalition talks to continue.
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