Ultra-Orthodox council avoids decision on draft law, easing pressure on Netanyahu coalition
Agudat Yisrael’s Council of Torah Sages convened Wednesday to discuss the military draft exemption bill but dispersed without reaching a decision, giving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the coalition temporary political breathing room.
Ahead of the meeting, Netanyahu urged party leaders not to decide on the bill, arguing its wording is expected to change. Ultra-Orthodox parties continue to threaten to support dissolving the Knesset if progress on the legislation is not accelerated, and are now procedurally able to revive such a vote after six months have passed since the previous attempt.
Earlier, Netanyahu met with United Torah Judaism lawmakers and warned that calling early elections would be “a mistake.”
Kan.org.il is the Hebrew news website of the The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation
