MK Moshe Solomon Breaks Ranks, Vows to Vote Against IDF Absentee Soldiers Law

Ahead of the Knesset vote on the controversial Absentee Soldiers Law, MK Moshe Solomon of the Religious Zionist Party announced during the plenary session that he will oppose the bill in its current form. Solomon urged his coalition colleagues to also reject the legislation, citing its negative impact on Israeli society and the Israel Defense Forces. He explained that he had submitted several amendments to improve the bill, but all were rejected in committee.

Solomon emphasized that it is not too late to amend the law and called on members of the Knesset to exercise personal responsibility rather than blindly following the government line. "Each MK will have to explain to the public how they voted, not just the party stance but their personal position," he said. This statement marks the first public dissent from the Religious Zionist Party on this issue, as the party has yet to release an official voting directive.

Political sources indicate that Minister Ofir Sofer may also oppose the bill following Solomon's public declaration, which would pose a further challenge for the coalition. The bill is still under discussion in the Knesset plenum and is expected to be put to a vote in the coming hours. Solomon's opposition adds to the internal coalition tensions surrounding this contentious legislation.