Haredi Parties Demand Freeze on Arrests Law Before Other Legislation Amid Clash with Religious Zionists

Tensions between the Haredi parties and Religious Zionist factions are escalating during the final legislative push of the current Knesset session. The Haredi parties insist that the Freeze on Arrests Law be brought to a vote in the Knesset plenum before any other bills. They are preparing to pass the law even if Religious Zionist members are absent. Coalition chairman MK Ofir Katz is expected to announce that this will be the next bill up for a vote. Arab MKs are not anticipated to oppose the proposal, and a narrow majority is expected to support it even without their votes.

Despite the tension, Finance Committee votes continue as usual, but behind the scenes there is a fierce battle among coalition partners over the legislative agenda. Degel HaTorah chairman MK Moshe Gafni sharply criticized Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, accusing him of insatiability and reminding that Prime Minister Netanyahu gave Smotrich everything he wanted last year to help him pass the electoral threshold. Gafni demanded that the Freeze on Arrests Law take precedence over all other legislation.

Meanwhile, the Haredi parties refuse to support the Metropolitan Area Law promoted by Smotrich, arguing it will lead to Sabbath desecration and calling it a "gift to the Budget Department." In a related dispute, Smotrich has threatened to block a government decision on kindergarten funding scheduled for tomorrow due to the lack of Haredi support for the Metropolitan Area Law.