Rabbis Save Bibi's Government in Last Minute Knesset Vote

Late last night, following intense negotiations led by Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chair Yuli Edelstein, a draft agreement was reportedly reached with Haredi party representatives regarding the principles underpinning the proposed draft law. Subsequently, senior rabbis instructed MKs from Shas and Degel Torah to oppose any bill dissolving the Knesset that evening.

The opposition pressed ahead nonetheless, insisting on an immediate vote, framing the legislation as a decisive test of coalition unity. In the end, 61 MKs, including the majority of Haredi lawmakers acting under rabbinic orders, voted against the dissolution, while only 53 supported it. As a result, the bill failed in its preliminary reading, and per Knesset rules it cannot be brought back for six months unless 61 MKs support an early reconsideration.

The defeat of the bill ensures that Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government can remain in power for several more months without the threat of early elections. However, opposition leader Yair Lapid derisively referenced the coalition in a post on X, calling it “the 61 coalition.”

Leadership within Agudat Yisrael also fractured. Member of Knesset Israel Eichler deviated from party guidance, joining Shas and Degel Torah to vote against the dissolution, while his colleagues aligned with the opposition. Following these divisions, Goldbergnopf, and the hassidic leadership are expected to reconsider their position within the government.