United Torah Judaism Sets Two Key Demands for Coalition Entry
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
United Torah Judaism has presented two core demands for joining a "Change Bloc" coalition: a law to halt the arrest of yeshiva students before the government is sworn in, and a commitment to pass a long-term conscription law. The proposed law to stop arrests would apply to all draft dodgers, Haredi and secular, as a temporary measure. UTJ also requires an agreed-upon draft of a future conscription law, approved by the Council of Torah Sages, to be passed by the Knesset before the state budget. These demands come amid accelerated coalition talks, including secret meetings between UTJ's Yaakov Asher and leaders of Yesh Atid and Yisrael Beiteinu.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- United Torah Judaism demands a law halting yeshiva student arrests before government swearing-in.
- The proposed law would apply equally to all draft dodgers, Haredi and secular.
- UTJ also requires a commitment to pass a long-term conscription law approved by Torah Sages.
- The "Change Bloc" must pledge to pass the conscription law before the state budget.
- UTJ Chairman Yaakov Asher met secretly with Yesh Atid and Yisrael Beiteinu leaders.
United Torah Judaism (UTJ) is presenting two fundamental conditions for joining a potential "Change Bloc" government, according to details of ongoing coalition talks obtained by Kikar HaShabbat. The first demand concerns the immediate legal status of Torah students. UTJ insists that before the new government is sworn in, the Knesset must pass a law halting the arrest of yeshiva students.
To ensure this legislation withstands High Court scrutiny, similar to the "Der'i Law" which was invalidated before the elections, UTJ and the "Change Bloc" are formulating a broader legal framework. The proposed law would apply equally to all draft dodgers, both Haredi and secular, not just yeshiva students. It would be defined as a temporary measure until a comprehensive conscription law is enacted to regulate the status of yeshiva students. Proponents believe this temporary arrangement, leading to a law with recruitment targets, will mitigate strong opposition from senior IDF officials and facilitate its advancement.
The second demand focuses on the long-term regulation of yeshiva students' status. Recognizing the technical and legal impossibility of completing a complex, full conscription law before the government's formation, UTJ leaders require an agreed-upon draft of the conscription law that receives the approval of the Council of Torah Sages. The "Change Bloc" leaders would be obligated to sign a formal commitment to this text and pledge to pass it in its second and third readings in the Knesset before the new government's first state budget is approved.
These demands emerge amidst accelerated behind-the-scenes political negotiations. As reported by Channel 12 reporter Daphna Liel, UTJ Chairman MK Yaakov Asher held a first secret meeting last week to negotiate with Yesh Atid Chairman MK Gadi Eisenkot. This meeting occurred concurrently with another significant meeting Asher had with Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman MK Avigdor Lieberman, as part of exploring the feasibility of political cooperation between the parties.
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