A deal between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Haredi parties to advance legislation is moving forward in the Knesset, according to a report from Israeli media. The agreement, which includes advancing the Basic Law: Torah Study, is opposed by protesters gathered outside the Knesset.
The deal between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Haredi parties (UTJ and Shas) is being formally advanced in the Knesset overnight, as protests continue outside the building. According to Israeli media reports, the agreement includes advancing the Basic Law: Torah Study and halting arrests of yeshiva students. The advancement comes after a day of reported opposition from UTJ co-chair MK Yitzhak Goldknopf, which the earlier reports noted as a potential hurdle.
The desk first reported this deal at 17:55 Tue Jerusalem (Jun 23), based on a report by Amit Segal (N12) that an agreement had been reached for early elections on October 20. That initial report did not detail which laws were included. In a second published version at 22:10 Tue (Jun 23), Segal reported that Shas chairman Aryeh Deri and UTJ co-chair MK Moshe Gafni issued a joint statement confirming the framework, adding that the deal was being advanced in exchange for Haredi support for early elections. The third published version at 23:44 Tue (Jun 23) clarified that Goldknopf opposed the deal. Now, as the legislation moves forward, protesters have gathered outside the Knesset.
As The Zioneer reported, the deal was initially framed as a trade: Haredi parties would support dissolving the Knesset in exchange for immediate legislative advancement of the Basic Law and a bill to halt yeshiva student arrests. The joint statement from Deri and Gafni — the two Haredi co-chairs — signaled broad Haredi support, though Goldknopf's reported opposition suggests the deal is not unanimous. Separately, The Zioneer reported on the deal in a broader context piece published at 13:41 Wed Jerusalem.
It remains unclear whether the legislation will pass its first reading tonight or whether opposition MKs will succeed in delaying proceedings. The exact timing of a Knesset vote — and whether Goldknopf's opposition will affect the coalition's ability to pass the bill — remains open.
4 developments
- StrongHaredi parties issue ultimatum to Netanyahu: pass Torah Study law or face Knesset dissolution
- StrongNetanyahu meets Gafni to secure votes for Torah Study Basic Law
- DevelopingNetanyahu and Haredi parties agree: freeze on draft-evader arrests in exchange for commission of inquiry
- DevelopingCoalition leaders agree: Basic Law Torah Study and freeze on draft-dodger arrests to pass before Knesset disperses
Source and signal
- Internal intake