Defense Minister Yoav Galant in a statement on the conscription law/Ministry of Defense Spokesperson
Photography: Elad Malka
The government is preparing to extend the exemption of the ultra-Orthodox whose "teachings are their art" by three months so that they will not have to enlist in the IDF and will be able to continue receiving budgets from the state. As part of the vote, the government is expected to present general principles for recruiting ultra-Orthodox which, among other things, may include targets, quotas, raising the age of exemption and financial sanctions On some of these sections there is still no agreement between all parts of the government.
The proposal is mainly a "nod" to the High Court so that it will avoid the decision to stop the government budget for yeshiva and kollel and will require the recruitment of students whose "teaching is their art", in the absence of an existing law.
If the proposal comes up for approval, it will be brought by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, due to the opposition of Defense Minister Yoav Galant.
The government will "take advantage" of the fact that Gallant is abroad to approve the proposal. Minister Gantz and the state camp will also oppose, but the proposal is expected to have a majority even without them.
Political officials made it clear that this proposal is not the "conscription law" that will finally be brought to the Knesset for approval. This is a proposed decision intended to signal to the High Court: "We have started working, we need more time."
The legal advisor to the government, attorney Gali Beharev Miara, is expected to support the move, but only if the government presents the timetable for the legislation, by the end of June at the latest. In fact, the government will thus provide itself with stability for another three months in its attempts to reach an agreement on the law itself.
Gallant - will stay in the US during the vote/Ministry of Defense, Elad Malka
Ultra-Orthodox demonstrators block an intersection in Jerusalem in protest against statements to promote ultra-Orthodox recruitment for service in the IDF/Israel Police Spokesperson
In recent weeks, the ultra-Orthodox have held talks with the leaders of the state camp.
Last week three meetings were held, some of the professional teams and the rest with the political ranks such as those of Minister Hili Trooper and former Minister Ariel Atias of Shas. The parties were unable to reach agreements, and there are significant disagreements and differences between them.
Legislation surrounding the recruitment is of great importance: not only the recruitment itself is critical, but mainly the budgeting for the ultra-Orthodox educational institutions. From April 1, if the law is not approved and the High Court adopts the position of the ombudsman, the ultra-Orthodox institutions have no budget, and the political system fears that the ultra-orthodox will not allow the government to exist for a long time.
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