After rejecting compromise, Likud removes Edelstein; new defense committee chair set to advance Haredi draft exemption law

Lawmakers of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party on Wednesday voted to oust the head of the Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee, Yuli Edelstein, paving the way for reconciliation with the ultra-Orthodox parties.

Edelstein, who was responsible for drafting a new law regulating the draft of ultra-Orthodox men into the Israel Defense Forces, had refused to compromise with the Haredi parties, vowing only to legislate a law with significant penalties for draft evaders.

United Torah Judaism (UTJ) and Shas reacted by exiting the government, and in UTJ’s case, the coalition, leaving it on the brink of collapse.

Only four MKs supported Edelstein, a veteran lawmaker and formerly number two on the Likud’s list, who in the past has challenged Netanyahu for party leadership and was not fully on board with the Judicial Reform.

Twenty-nine lawmakers voted for former journalist Boaz Bismuth, a member of the committee who is seen as a loyalist of Netanyahu.

After his election, Bismuth wrote on 𝕏 that he sees his new role “as a national mission of the highest order.”

“The Torah brought me here, and the army keeps me here. The conscription law is within my home: My daughter is a soldier with a red beret, and my son with tzitzit [tassels worn by religious Jews] and a kippah will study in a yeshiva."

“I am proud of both of them. It is possible to combine the two. Hand in hand. One strengthens the other. The conscription law is a national matter - not a political one,” Bismuth declared.

His election was accompanied by intense politicking within the Likud, as well as the Haredi parties.

While the decision was up to the lawmakers of the Likud, the ultra-Orthodox parties put their thumb on the scale, threatening not to support the first candidate, Hanoch Milwidsky, who initially had the support of Netanyahu.

After Shas and UTJ reportedly signaled support for Bismuth after receiving assurances regarding the bill.

An ultra-Orthodox source told Ynet there had been “productive discussions” that proved he was “up to the task.” The parties continue to demand broad draft exemptions for young Haredi men.

Speaking with The Times of Israel, a coalition insider said Bismuth was a “serious guy” who “hasn’t said what law he wants,” adding he would probably not follow Edelstein’s example.

During the vote, Edelstein warned that his removal would “tear apart the draft law.”

“I won't be able to refute in two or three minutes all the lies I've heard in recent days, how I intentionally did this, blew up that, and deceived and lied.”

“There were long negotiations. I came to the conclusion that, unfortunately, no major changes have occurred in Haredi society, there will be no call for those who don't study in yeshiva to enlist, and therefore only sanctions and proper supervision can lead to at least a minimal enlistment of those few thousand,” he added.

Opposition leaders harshly criticized Edelstein’s removal, with Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid saying that the Likud had now “become a branch of the Haredis and the draft dodgers.”

“This is a dark day for the State of Israel and the people of Israel. Bismuth was elected to promote evasion [of IDF service], and this is spitting in the face of the fighters, the reservists and their families,” Lapid announced.

Amit Segal, senior political analyst for Channel 12, estimated before the vote that “We may see some sort of reconciliation between Netanyahu and the ultra-Orthodox factions, helping him keep his coalition intact after the Knesset summer recess ends in October.”