Knesset Foreign Affairs and Security Committee chair Yuli (Yehiel) Bismuth will convene the committee in the coming week for discussions on the temporary order to freeze arrests of yeshiva students, according to Amit Segal (N12). The move follows Defense Minister Katz's request earlier on Sunday and signals legislative progress on the contentious draft exemption issue.
Knesset Foreign Affairs and Security Committee chair Yuli (Yehiel) Bismuth will convene the panel in the coming week to debate a temporary order that would freeze arrests of yeshiva students who do not enlist, as reported by Amit Segal (N12) on Sunday afternoon. The discussion follows Defense Minister Israel Katz's formal request to the committee earlier on Sunday to schedule the debate — a notable shift from Katz's previous opposition to similar legislation.
As The Zioneer reported earlier Sunday, Katz asked the committee chair to deliberate on a bill granting immunity from arrest to yeshiva students. Bismuth's decision to hold the discussions confirms that the legislative process is moving forward. The temporary order, known as a "horat sha'a" (interim provision), would effectively halt the arrest of draft-dodging yeshiva students while the broader framework for their service is debated.
The issue has been a flashpoint in Israeli coalition politics, pitting the ultra-Orthodox parties who seek to preserve the longstanding exemption against security establishment and secular factions demanding equal conscription. Katz's reversal, and Bismuth's scheduling of the debate, mark a significant political development in the ongoing saga over military service exemptions.
2 developments
- DevelopingCoalition sources: Defense Minister Katz blocking bill to freeze arrests of Haredi draft evaders
- DevelopingNetanyahu advances initiative to freeze arrests of Haredi draft evaders
- DevelopingDraft bill hits new snag: Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee delays deserters freeze debate
- DevelopingNetanyahu and Haredi parties agree: freeze on draft-evader arrests in exchange for commission of inquiry
Source and signal
- Internal intake