The Knesset plenum erupted in chaos Tuesday ahead of a vote on the bill to halt arrests of Haredi draft evaders, as several Haredi lawmakers declared a conflict of interest, according to i24NEWS. The vote is part of a coalition legislative blitz before the election season.
The Knesset plenum descended into chaos Tuesday afternoon as Haredi lawmakers made formal conflict-of-interest declarations ahead of the vote on the bill to freeze arrests of draft-evading yeshiva students, according to reports from the Knesset. The disclosures, made at 17:01 Jerusalem, revealed that the Haredi MKs have children and grandchildren over 18 who are Torah scholars — described as 'Tribe of Levi' — who would directly benefit from the law's provisions, triggering an uproar in the chamber.
The development follows a day of legislative maneuvering. At 16:36 Jerusalem, the plenum was still awaiting a majority as coalition member Minister Shlomo Karai was filibustering to delay proceedings, The Zioneer reported. Earlier, at 09:43, the vote's outcome was uncertain as the coalition's majority was in doubt. The conflict-of-interest issue had been raised earlier: on July 8, opposition lawmakers demanded an investigation into whether Haredi MKs faced a personal conflict of interest on the bill, as N12 reported. The bill advanced through committee on July 7, with the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Security Committee beginning final votes.
The bill, which would halt criminal proceedings and arrests against Haredi yeshiva students who evade military service, has been a major point of contention. As The Zioneer reported on July 13, opposition party leaders issued a joint call against the legislation. The coalition has been in talks with Haredi yeshiva heads since early July to encourage enlistment alongside the arrest freeze, as reported on July 5. The proposal to halt arrests was first reported on June 28.
It remains unclear whether the coalition will secure the majority needed to pass the bill. The conflict-of-interest declarations, while not legally binding, may further complicate the vote, as the coalition's thin majority is already uncertain. The Knesset is expected to continue the debate.
7 developments
- StrongHaredi MKs submit disclosure of children, grandchildren affected by draft exemption, express pride
- DevelopingOpposition MKs demand probe of Haredi lawmakers' conflict of interest on draft-evasion bill
- DevelopingIn practice: Haredi yeshiva-student draft evaders will not be arrested in coming months, others will — report
- DevelopingKnesset committee holds debate on pardon for Haredi draft dodgers
Source and signal
- Internal intake