Israeli Knesset Committee discusses on new army conscription bill
Reports indicate that the draft law under discussion would exempt ultra-Orthodox Jews (Haredi) from mandatory military service. Opposition parties accuse Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of pushing the bill to appease the ultra-Orthodox Shas and United Torah Judaism parties, which left the coalition earlier this year but are expected to rejoin once the legislation is approved.
KAN quoted Immigration and Absorption Minister Ofir Sofer of the Religious Zionism Party saying he intends to oppose the bill, calling it “shameful.” Sofer, whose party is led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, stated he would “vote against this law, even if it means the prime minister will fire me.”
Knesset members Michal Waldiger and Moshe Solomon, also from the Religious Zionism Party, reportedly share Sofer’s stance, insisting that they will not support the bill without substantial amendments.
Committee discussions are expected to continue in the coming days as pressure mounts to draft a version acceptable to the coalition. Without sufficient backing, Netanyahu is unlikely to bring the bill to a full vote.
The issue has gained urgency after Israel’s Supreme Court ordered the government two weeks ago to implement an “effective enforcement policy” against Haredi draft evasion within 45 days, including a range of criminal, economic, and civil measures. Military service in Israel is compulsory for all men and women at age 18.
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