Government Secretary Yossi Fuchs circulated a cabinet letter of support for the bill to freeze arrests of Haredi draft evaders, according to political reporter Daphna Liel (N12). Heavy pressure is being applied on Defense Minister Israel Katz to issue his own letter in support.
Government Secretary Yossi Fuchs circulated a formal cabinet letter on Saturday evening expressing government support for the bill to freeze arrests of Haredi draft evaders, political reporter Daphna Liel (N12) reported. The move comes amid heavy pressure on Defense Minister Israel Katz, a key coalition figure who previously blocked the bill's advancement, to issue his own backing in writing.
The cabinet letter marks a procedural step in the government's effort to fast-track the measure as a temporary order. As The Zioneer reported earlier Saturday (published at 21:25 Jerusalem), Fuchs had previously sent an urgent request to Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman Boaz Bismuth for just such an emergency order, warning that the arrests risk "civil war" and are pushing the Haredi public away from enlistment. That same initial thread version reported that both Fuchs and Katz would issue letters on the matter; the new report indicates Fuchs has now distributed the cabinet's endorsement, while Katz's letter remains outstanding.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has been advancing the initiative for weeks, following appeals from leading Haredi yeshiva heads and Hasidic courts, as The Zioneer reported on Monday June 15 and Wednesday June 17. The bill would halt enforcement against ultra-Orthodox men who evade mandatory service while a broader conscription arrangement is formulated. A coalition majority for the legislation was confirmed by the Prime Minister's Office on Tuesday June 16, according to previous Zioneer reporting.
Defense Minister Katz's position remains the key open variable. Earlier this week, coalition sources said Katz was blocking the bill's advancement, as The Zioneer reported on Wednesday June 24. Whether Katz now issues his own supporting letter will determine the bill's immediate prospects.
5 developments
- DevelopingGovernment secretary warns that yeshiva student arrests could lead to civil war
- DevelopingNewspaper editorial urges freeze on yeshiva student arrests until after elections
- DevelopingReport: Deri pushing a 'thin' draft law to halt yeshiva student arrests
- DevelopingPM's office: coalition has the votes for Deri's bill to stop draft-evader arrests
Source and signal
- Internal intake