Opposition lawmakers on the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Security Committee asked committee chair MK Boaz Bismut to postpone a vote scheduled for Tuesday on a bill that would freeze criminal proceedings and arrests against yeshiva students who evade military service. Bismut responded: "Weeks of monologues and media productions. Your request is not accepted," according to a report.
Committee chair MK Boaz Bismut rejected opposition lawmakers' request to postpone the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Security Committee vote on the bill to freeze arrests of yeshiva students who evade military service. The vote remains scheduled for Tuesday, Bismut said, dismissing the opposition's request as 'weeks of monologues and media productions,' according to a report. The decision came after opposition MKs formally asked for a delay on Thursday, arguing the bill grants 'advance immunity' to future draft dodgers. The rejection marks the latest flashpoint in the coalition's push to advance the conscription overhaul, which has been stalled for months. The bill's second and third readings are set for Tuesday.
The opposition's request was first reported by N12's Daphna Liel on Thursday (Jul 2, 17:11 Jerusalem), the same day the committee confirmed the votes were scheduled. Earlier that day, MK Yinon Azoulay (Shas) said the committee's debates had concluded. The committee also held a related debate on Thursday morning, chaired by MK Tzvi Sukkot, which drew opposition fury. The Zioneer reported that the Knesset panel continued debating the legislation on Thursday morning (Jul 2, 11:19 Jerusalem), with opposition lawmakers outraged over the chairmanship.
The bill has been a central point of contention. Defense Minister Israel Katz formally requested the committee debate the immunity legislation on June 28, marking a shift from his previous position, as The Zioneer reported. The legislation had hit a snag in late June when the committee delayed a debate on the freeze (Jun 20, 21:19 Jerusalem). The broader effort to overhaul the draft has faced repeated procedural delays, including a similar request by opposition MKs to postpone a debate on daycare funding for Haredi non-enlistees in early June (Jun 8, 08:11 Jerusalem).
It remains unclear whether the vote will proceed as scheduled on Tuesday, as opposition MKs may pursue further procedural challenges. The bill's content — freezing criminal proceedings and arrests for yeshiva students who do not enlist — remains highly disputed, with supporters and opponents deeply divided on its implications for military service and Haredi society.
2 developments
- DevelopingKnesset panel proceeds with arrest-immunity debate for Haredi non-enlistees; opposition furious Sukkot chairs session
- DevelopingOpposition MKs ask to postpone Knesset debate on yeshiva daycare funding for draft-dodgers
- DevelopingDraft bill hits new snag: Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee delays deserters freeze debate
- DevelopingDefense Minister Katz formally requests Knesset debate on immunity from arrest for yeshiva students
Source and signal
- Internal intake