Knesset Committee Meeting Delayed Amid Political Maneuvering

The formation of an interim Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee has been delayed due to conditions set by the Likud party, preventing its first meeting until at least Monday. This delay, which affects all newly appointed committees, is particularly significant for the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, headed by MK Avigdor Lieberman. The delay means Lieberman cannot access classified intelligence materials, raising concerns among the "Change Bloc" that it is strategically timed to coincide with heightened tensions regarding Iran.

Sources suggest Lieberman sought the committee chairmanship not only to influence the conscription law but also to scrutinize Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and prevent "unnecessary" military operations. With the current transitional government, oversight of Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz is minimal, a situation reportedly convenient for the outgoing government, especially given reported disagreements between Netanyahu and Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir over potential action in Iran. Lieberman's ability to summon Zamir for committee discussions is a source of apprehension for the coalition.

According to sources in Yisrael Beiteinu, Lieberman intends to use his position to increase parliamentary oversight of Netanyahu's security decisions, particularly to ensure political considerations do not drive decisions for war. Lieberman himself has warned that a transitional government should not make decisions that could lead Israel into war without parliamentary oversight and full security consensus. Gadi Eisenkot has also questioned the delay, vowing to prevent a vacuum in oversight.

Another factor in the Likud's opposition to Lieberman's appointment is the ongoing negotiation between the "Change Bloc" and United Torah Judaism regarding the conscription law. Lieberman's role on the committee could lend him credibility in discussions with the ultra-Orthodox party. The "Change Bloc" is reportedly considering a proposal to freeze the enforcement of ultra-Orthodox conscription and arrest of draft dodgers for up to a year after the government is formed, during which a mutually agreed conscription law would be drafted.

This proposed solution mirrors a previous government decision that froze ultra-Orthodox conscription until March 2024, though legal challenges remain. The "Change Bloc" believes the ultra-Orthodox may not trust Netanyahu and are willing to consider Eisenkot, while also noting that returning to elections or forming a unity government without them would not improve their conscription situation. Legally, however, a High Court of Justice ruling previously stated that a transitional government lacked the constitutional authority to order a freeze on conscription enforcement. Furthermore, a proposal to freeze only arrests faces issues, as previous attempts were deemed discriminatory and flawed by the High Court. Even if United Torah Judaism agrees, Shas is expected to remain outside the coalition, leaving Lieberman to decide whether to proceed with a government reliant on parties like Ra'am, despite his stated opposition to governments supported by Mansour Abbas's party, while still aiming to end Netanyahu's tenure.