Haredi MK Vows No Government Without Draft Law First
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Member of Knesset Meir Porush declared that his party will not join any government coalition unless a draft law for yeshiva students is legislated first. He criticized past coalition behavior where Haredi priorities were delayed and vowed this would not recur. Porush stated that support for a prime minister would be conditional on resolving the draft law, dismissing compromise proposals. He also addressed internal party matters and the emergence of a new Haredi political challenge.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- MK Meir Porush vowed no government will be formed without first legislating a draft law for yeshiva students.
- Porush admitted past Haredi parties were too accommodating, allowing other laws to pass before their draft law.
- He stated that coalition support is contingent on resolving the draft law, similar to other government appointments.
- Porush dismissed new compromise proposals, insisting on deferment for students who continue to study.
- He addressed internal party politics and the emergence of a new Haredi political party.
- Porush urged the public to vote for United Torah Judaism to strengthen the world of Torah study.
Member of Knesset Meir Porush, chairman of the Shlomi Emunim faction, stated unequivocally that his party will not agree to any government coalition unless a draft law for yeshiva students is legislated first. Speaking in an interview with Yishai Cohen for Kikar HaShabbat, Porush expressed deep dissatisfaction with the current situation regarding yeshiva students facing conscription and draft orders, describing the public's feeling as "very bad." He believes that appointing judges who are not perceived as one-sided and who understand the community is crucial for change.
Porush reflected on past mistakes, admitting that Haredi parties were too accommodating in the previous coalition, allowing other legislative priorities to advance while their own draft law was repeatedly postponed. "We were nice and didn't make a fuss, so this is what we erred in!" he stated. He vowed that this would not happen again, asserting that no coalition laws would pass and no government would be formed with their participation until the draft law is settled. "If you voted for United Torah Judaism, you can know that a government of which we are a part will not be established before there is a draft law. We are signed up for this!"
Regarding recommendations for prime minister after the elections, Porush indicated that his party's support is contingent on resolving the draft law issue, similar to how other matters like ambassadorships and budgets were handled. He dismissed suggestions for new compromises on the draft law, stating that their demand is simple: students who study should receive deferment, as has been the arrangement for the past 75 years.
Porush also criticized opposition figures like Avigdor Lieberman, accusing them of political opportunism. He addressed the emergence of a new Haredi party led by Moti Leitner, stating he was unaware of its support within their traditional voter base and that his focus is on garnering votes for United Torah Judaism. He also touched upon internal matters within Agudat Yisrael, explaining a technical split as a funding mechanism and expressing openness to implementing primary elections for candidate selection, a process he has previously championed.
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