Charedi MKs Threaten Coalition Bills Over Daycare Law

The Charedi parties are threatening to withhold support from key coalition legislation unless the daycare subsidy bill is brought to a vote in the Knesset today.

The dispute erupted after the Charedi factions learned that the coalition was considering removing the bill from the agenda. The proposal is meant to bypass sanctions imposed following the attorney general’s position on daycare subsidies for families of yeshiva students who are obligated to enlist but have not done so.

For the Charedi parties, the bill has become a central demand as the coalition nears possible dissolution. They are seeking a concrete achievement on an issue that directly affects thousands of families.

However, some within the coalition oppose the proposal, arguing that it benefits Charedi draft dodgers. As a result, attempts were made to delay or remove the bill from Monday’s voting schedule.

Degel HaTorah chairman Moshe Gafni sent a message to coalition chairman Ofir Katz warning that if the daycare law is not brought to a first reading today, the Charedi parties will not support the rest of the coalition’s bills.

That includes the national commission of inquiry bill promoted by MK Ariel Kallner, which is also expected to come up for a first reading.

The threat carries real political weight because the Knesset may be nearing the end of its term. Coalition parties are trying to advance as many bills as possible before a possible dissolution, especially bills that can pass a first reading. Once a bill passes a first reading, the next Knesset can potentially continue the legislative process through continuity. Bills that fail to pass a first reading would need to restart from the beginning.

At this stage, no agreement has been reached. Within United Torah Judaism, tensions are also visible between Degel HaTorah and Agudath Israel. Figures in Agudath Israel reportedly mocked Degel HaTorah’s handling of the crisis, saying that Netanyahu is laughing at Degel.

The confrontation adds to growing Charedi frustration with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over what they see as repeated delays and lack of decisions. The draft law remains stuck, the daycare subsidy bill is now in doubt, and the Basic Law on Torah Study has advanced only in a preliminary reading.

For the Charedi factions, the message to the coalition is clear: without movement on their core demands, they will not continue helping Netanyahu advance the rest of his legislative agenda.