United Torah Judaism Considers Joining "Change Government" Without Draft Exemption
Translated & summarized from Channel 13 by baba
Proponents see it as a chance to secure coalition positions and budgets, normalize Haredi parties, and potentially weaken support for Haredi conscription. Current demands include a one-year halt to the draft and arrests, but legal feasibility is questionable, with Avigdor Lieberman emphasizing compliance with High Court rulings. Shas remains uncoordinated, and Aryeh Deri expects talks with Lieberman to fail.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- United Torah Judaism is debating joining a "change government" without a draft exemption for yeshiva students.
- Proponents see joining as an opportunity for coalition positions, budgets, and normalizing Haredi parties.
- Current Haredi demands include a one-year halt to the draft and arrests, facing legal challenges.
- Avigdor Lieberman will only support a draft law that passes High Court scrutiny.
- Shas is not coordinating with UTJ, and Aryeh Deri expects talks with Lieberman to fail.
- Rabbi Dov Lando is involved in UTJ's decision-making process.
Some proponents of this move believe it is beneficial to complete the "change bloc's" majority without certainty on the draft issue, citing legal difficulties. They see it as an opportunity to normalize the public standing of Haredi parties, potentially dismantling the "change bloc" and hindering the establishment of a party advocating for Haredi conscription.
Currently, the Haredi parties' demands to the "change bloc" include a one-year halt to the mandatory draft for yeshiva students, a similar period of suspended arrests, and the removal of sanctions against draft dodgers. However, these demands face significant legal hurdles, a point being discussed by "change bloc" representatives with legal teams experienced in High Court of Justice matters. Avigdor Lieberman has stated he will only bring a draft law that can withstand High Court scrutiny. In a meeting with UTJ Chairman MK Yaakov Asher, Lieberman indicated efforts would be made to secure a draft exemption, though legal challenges are anticipated.
Meanwhile, Shas is not coordinating with UTJ, and Aryeh Deri anticipates that talks with Lieberman will fail. Rabbi Dov Lando is involved in formulating UTJ's decision. If UTJ decides to join the government, the message to the Haredi public will be that opposition harms Torah study. Such a decision would place Deri in a difficult position with Netanyahu, but it is unlikely he would challenge Rabbi Lando's guidance.
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