Netanyahu and Haredi parties advance legislation deal to avert early Knesset dissolution

Prime Minister Netanyahu and Haredi party leaders agreed Wednesday on a deal to advance the Basic Law: Torah Study and a bill to halt arrests of yeshiva students, in exchange for supporting early elections on October 20, according to reporting by Amit Segal (N12). UTJ co-chair MK Moshe Gafni issued a joint statement with Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, but the deal faces opposition from the other UTJ co-chair, MK Yitzhak Goldknopf.

A deal between Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Haredi parties to avert an immediate coalition crisis is moving forward despite internal opposition. According to a report by Amit Segal (N12) first published Tuesday, the agreement sets early elections for October 20 in exchange for advancing the Basic Law: Torah Study and a bill to stop arrests of yeshiva students. In a joint statement Wednesday, Shas chairman Rabbi Aryeh Deri and UTJ chairman MK Rabbi Moshe Gafni said they delivered an ultimatum to Netanyahu — convene the relevant Knesset committees this week to advance the legislation — and would support dissolving the Knesset next week if no concrete action is taken. They added that Netanyahu committed to rapidly advancing the laws. However, a follow-up report Wednesday night indicated that UTJ's other co-chair, MK Yitzhak Goldknopf, objects to elements of the deal. The two UTJ leaders — Gafni (Degel HaTorah faction) and Goldknopf (Agudat Yisrael faction) — are distinct individuals with different political bases. As The Zioneer reported earlier Wednesday, the deal effectively averts a snap election before the summer break, but the legislative timeline remains tight and subject to coalition dynamics.

4 developments

1. 4 minutes ago · 00:53 · 25 JunLatest

   Protests are taking place outside the Knesset as the deal advances.

2. 23:44 · 24 Jun

   The deal is moving forward despite opposition from UTJ leader Goldknopf.

3. 13:19 · 24 Jun

   Deri and Gafni issue joint statement confirming the October election deal.

• Strongyesterday · 20:28 · 23 JunHaredi parties issue ultimatum to Netanyahu: pass Torah Study law or face Knesset dissolution
• Strong21:49 · 8 JunNetanyahu meets Gafni to secure votes for Torah Study Basic Law
• Developingyesterday · 18:34 · 23 JunNetanyahu and Haredi parties agree: freeze on draft-evader arrests in exchange for commission of inquiry
• Developing15:48 · 16 JunCoalition leaders agree: Basic Law Torah Study and freeze on draft-dodger arrests to pass before Knesset disperses

Source and signal

• Internal intake