UTJ party pressures Netanyahu: 'If Edelstein is ousted – we’ll reconsider'

A senior member of the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism (UTJ) party on Thursday said that if Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu wants to try to prevent them from voting in favor of dissolving the Knesset next week, he must remove MK Yuli Edelstein from his position as chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. According to the senior official: “If Edelstein is ousted – we’ll reconsider.”

Sources in the ultra-Orthodox parties said earlier this morning that the meeting being held today by Netanyahu with the ultra-Orthodox representatives could be decisive for the military conscription crisis. These comments were reported on The Morning Show on Kan Reshet Bet. The meeting is expected to include Edelstein, Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs, and former Minister Ariel Atias representing the ultra-Orthodox side.

The sources said: “Things could go either way in this meeting.” The ultra-Orthodox parties are expecting Edelstein to show flexibility on the issue of personal sanctions against draft dodgers – the main point of contention between the sides.

According to them, one of the core disputes is whether full sanctions would be imposed even if draft targets are significantly met but fall short of 100%. They said they are willing to accept partial sanctions, but they must be proportional to the level of compliance with the draft goals. Among the sanctions being discussed are: denial of a driver’s license, travel bans, disqualification from discounted housing lotteries, and revocation of daycare subsidies.

The political crisis surrounding ultra-Orthodox conscription is destabilizing the government’s position, and the coming days are considered critical for its future. After the Lithuanian-Haredi religious leaders, Rabbis Lando and Hirsch, refused yesterday to meet with Netanyahu – arguing that “further discussions are pointless” – a meeting expected today between Edelstein and the Haredi representatives is being described by Haredi sources as "crucial."

The previous meeting between the sides, held last night and continuing into the night, bore no fruit. Kan Reshet Bet reported that significant gaps remain. Associates of Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf, who heads the UTJ party, criticized Edelstein and Fuchs, claiming they had not led to any progress in the talks and accusing them of trying to "buy time."

Edelstein, who is responsible for drafting the IDF conscription law, continues to maintain a firm stance on imposing sanctions against yeshiva students who refuse to enlist.