Is Netanyahu's Coalition About to Callapse?
Prime Minister Netanyahu has asked Haredi parties to delay the Enlistment Law until after the elections, sparking a coalition crisis. UTJ leader Yitzhak Goldknopf accused Netanyahu of breaking promises, as Haredi parties weigh leaving his political bloc.
A major political drama is unfolding as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly asked Haredi (Ultra-Orthodox) party leaders to remove the controversial Enlistment Law from the legislative agenda until after the upcoming elections. The move has triggered a fierce backlash, bringing the coalition to the brink of a total collapse.
According to a report on Wednesday by Avraham Freund, Netanyahu held private conversations with senior Haredi officials in recent days, delivering a stark message regarding the law that would regulate military exemptions for yeshiva students.
Netanyahu’s Strategy: Wait for the Next Government
The Prime Minister reportedly explained that passing the law is currently impossible due to the political climate and ongoing security challenges.
Netanyahu clarified that there is no parliamentary majority to pass the law in the Knesset plenum so close to primaries and general elections.
"This should not be on the agenda right now," Netanyahu reportedly said, citing the complex security situation facing the country.
The Prime Minister suggested that the ideal time to pass the law would be after the elections but before the new government is officially sworn in. He argued that during that window, MKs are eager for ministerial appointments, making it easier to "force" the law’s approval.
"The Cat is Out of the Bag": Goldknopf Responds
The response from the Haredi leadership was swift and scathing. Yitzhak Goldknopf, Chairman of United Torah Judaism (UTJ), issued a sharp rebuke of the Prime Minister’s request.
"The cat is out of the bag," Goldknopf stated. "It is exactly what I have said from the beginning, Netanyahu has not, and never had, any intention of honoring the coalition agreement and his commitments to the Haredi parties."
A Potential Shift in Alliances
The crisis comes as senior Haredi officials increasingly discuss a historic pivot in Israeli politics. There is growing talk within the parties about officially breaking away from "Netanyahu’s Bloc" to act as a decisive "swing factor" (kingmaker) between the Right and Left in the next elections.
Some Haredi leaders argue that a partnership with the Left might actually offer a more reliable path to passing the Enlistment Law and removing the financial sanctions currently imposed on yeshiva students.
As the rift deepens, the stability of the current government remains in serious doubt, with the "Enlistment Crisis" once again serving as the primary threat to Netanyahu’s political survival.