Netanyahu Ends Coalition Crisis With Agreement on Haredi Conscription Bill
Error: Contact form not found.
by JNS.org

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a plenum session in the Israeli parliament on March 13, 2018. Photo: Hadas Parush / Flash90.
JNS.org – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government reached a compromise deal on Tuesday evening shoring up the coalition and quashing calls for early elections.
According to the deal, the haredi army conscription bill will pass before the Knesset goes to its spring recess on Thursday.
Coalition member Sofa Landver and the five members of the Yisrael Beiteinu Party who are strongly opposed to what they call the “evasion law” will be permitted to vote against it as a one-time move against the government, as it is expected to pass without their support.
Before it is finalized, the bill will be amended according to defense-ministry recommendations. The 2019 state budget will also be approved.
The government was pushed to the brink of elections in the last week, with the haredi United Torah Judaism Party rejecting several deal offers. The party has threatened to shoot down the 2019 state budget if the conscription bill does not go through, freeing the overwhelming majority of ultra-Orthodox students of age to be drafted into the Israel Defense Forces from serving in the military.
Israel Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, leader of Yisrael Beiteinu, reiterated that his party would vote against the legislation, which he dubbed the “evasion bill.” He added that he has no interest in early elections.
Leaders of coalition parties have suggested that Netanyahu may have engineered the coalition crisis in order to garner a public display of support ahead of possible indictments on corruption charges. The prime minister has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Pod Save America Hosts Call on Democrats to Cut All Israel Military Aid, No Longer Accept AIPAC Funding
Jews, Israelis Targeted in Austria Amid Surge in Antisemitic Incidents; Local Jewish Community Calls for Action
‘All of Our Strength’: Over 1,000 Pro-Israel Activists Gather in DC for Solidarity Conference
‘Devastated’: Wesley LePatner, Killed in Manhattan Mass Shooting, Was a Jewish Communal, Philanthropic Leader
Sen. Angus King Vows to No Longer Vote for Israel Military Aid Until Gaza Conditions Improve
Europe Won’t Pressure Israel to ‘Commit Suicide’ Amid Gaza Backlash, Palestinian State Push, Says Israeli FM
Israel’s National Soccer Coach Attacked in Athens Before Soccer Fans Chant ‘F–K Israel, Free Palestine’ at Match
New York Judge Sentences Neo-Nazi to 5 Years for Livestreaming Bomb Threats Against Jewish Hospitals
US Pressures Lebanon to Issue Cabinet Decision to Disarm Hezbollah Before Talks Continue
UK Plans to Recognize Palestinian State in September Unless Israel Meets Conditions, Starmer Says









