Gov’t coalition defeats motion to dissolve Knesset after late-night compromise with Haredi parties

After dramatic hours of high-stakes negotiations, the coalition scored a last-second success by defeating a motion to dissolve the Knesset around 1 a.m. on Thursday, following compromises over sanctions for ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) draft dodgers as part of a new IDF draft law.

In addition to averting an immediate threat of new elections, the coalition’s defeat of the motion by 61-53 votes will also have more far-reaching implications.

Another proposal to dissolve the Knesset cannot be put to a vote again for six months, except under different circumstances and the approval of Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, a loyal Likud party member. This means that the government has effectively bought itself at least six months of political stability.

The final compromise was reached late on Wednesday night, with Haredi leaders realizing that new elections would result in a left-wing government that would introduce an even harsher IDF draft law.

They understood that their best chance would be to compromise with Yuli Edelstein, whose Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee is working on the new draft bill. “They said it and they showed on their faces how difficult this law is for them,” a source who was present at the meetings told Israel Hayom.

The source said that Edelstein, fellow Likud MKs Dan Illouz and Moshe Saada, as well as Immigration Minister Ofir Sofer (Religious Zionism party), were instrumental in bridging the gaps with the Haredi leaders.

“The insistence of the aforementioned four on a real conscription law, while at the same time making it clear to them that there was no political consideration or desire to harm the Haredi sector or overthrow the government, convinced them to agree,” the source said.

“As I have said all along – only a real, effective bill that leads to an expansion of the conscription base will come out of the committee I chair,” Edelstein announced after the vote.

“Reservists are an important and significant part in leading a real, just and effective conscription law. I am committed to expanding the conscription base for the IDF, both for their sake and for the sake of the families of those who are serving,” he added.

According to Ynet News, Edelstein and the Haredi leadership agreed on a draft proposal whose principles will be included in a new law.

These include a mandatory draft for Haredi men aged 18 to 26, to draft 4,800 in the first and 5,700 men in the second year. Within five years, the ultra-Orthodox sector will have to present a draft target number of 50% of the eligible young men.

However, sanctions will only begin if less than 95% of the target number is achieved, granting the Haredi community some wiggle room.

Imposing personal sanctions on draft dodgers was among the most sensitive issues in the negotiations. Both sides agreed that if the draft targets aren’t met, immediate sanctions will be applied, including the suspension of driver's licenses, as well as a suspension of the possibility of obtaining driver's licenses for any young Haredi obligated to enlist who fails to do so.

Additional sanctions include limitations on leaving the country (with an exceptions committee); ⁠cancellation of affirmative action in public service; ⁠cancellation of academic study subsidies; ⁠and denial of tax credit points to Haredi men under 26 who aren’t studying or enlisting, but are part of the workforce.

If draft dodgers – most of whom are students at yeshivas (religious study schools) – don’t enlist after half a year, they will not receive subsidies for dormitories and public transportation for the next six months.

If those individuals fail to enlist after a year, they will be denied National Insurance benefits for the coming year.

After two years, draft dodgers will lose access to affordable housing programs, subsidies for second-hand apartments, after-school programs and purchase tax benefits.

In addition to personal sanctions, the Haredi sector will be punished as a whole if it fails the recruitment targets.

If less than 75% of the target is met, the total amount of the state-funded yeshiva budget will be canceled.

Above 75%, the percentage gap will be doubled and deducted from the budgets. For example, if only 80% of the target number enlists, 40% of the yeshiva budget will be canceled.

Despite the potentially historic compromise, opposition leaders blasted the government. "Again, you spat in the faces of IDF fighters," said Yesh Atid party leader Yair Lapid.

"The Haredim had two options tonight – either they would lose the evasion law or they would lose the government. The government helped them ignore the reservists and helped them fabricate the draft evasion of tens of thousands of healthy young men."

Democrats party chairman Yair Golan wrote on 𝕏: "The Israeli government did not disband because Netanyahu promised the Haredim that our children would continue to fight and sacrifice their lives, and their children did not. Now it is clear: what will bring down this government of omission, evasion and neglect is not them, it is us. Only the democratic, Zionist majority, serving the Israelis who love this country, will save Israel from corruption and restore its security."

Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Liberman vowed that he will not "allow the issue of conscription to be turned into a political bargaining chip."

"Tonight, the Israeli government once again chose evasion instead of Zionism. Once again, it puts politics above national and security interests, it abandons those who serve – and enlist for the sake of the draft evaders."