by Worthy News Jerusalem Bureau Staff
(Worthy News) – A bill to dissolve the Knesset was narrowly defeated in a preliminary reading early Thursday morning, following a breakthrough agreement with ultra-Orthodox parties over military draft legislation. The motion was voted down 61-53, preserving the fragile governing coalition for now.
The opposition, which brought the proposal to a vote despite knowing key Haredi factions would likely oppose it, suffered a setback after intensive negotiations led by MK Yuli Edelstein (Likud) produced a last-minute compromise.
“I am pleased to announce that after lengthy discussions, we have reached agreements on the principles that will form the basis of the Draft Law proposal,” Edelstein said in a statement. “This is historic news. We are on the way to a real correction in Israeli society and to strengthening the security of the State of Israel.”
The Draft Law, a long-contentious issue balancing national service requirements with religious exemptions for yeshiva students, was the central hurdle. After Edelstein’s meetings with Haredi leaders, United Torah Judaism (UTJ) sources said “positive progress” had been made, suggesting a full vote to dissolve the Knesset might be postponed.
Rabbi Dov Lando, the spiritual leader of UTJ’s Degel HaTorah faction, ordered Haredi lawmakers to oppose the bill or delay their decision. A similar directive came from Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch, currently abroad. Their intervention proved decisive, as most Degel HaTorah MKs ultimately voted against dissolution.
However, internal divisions persisted within the Haredi bloc. While Degel HaTorah held the line, the Hasidic Agudat Yisrael faction announced its intent to support the bill. Two of its MKs voted in favor, while one opposed it. A statement from the faction lamented the absence of a finalized draft bill: “As of this moment, no draft law or written proposal has been submitted. Therefore, we are acting in accordance with the clear directive of our revered rabbis and will support the proposal to dissolve the Knesset if it comes to a vote.”
In the wake of the vote, speculation swirled that Agudat Yisrael leader and Housing Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf may resign. The rest of the faction’s ministers and lawmakers are reportedly consulting with rabbinic authorities about next steps.
The failed vote is a significant reprieve for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, which has been under mounting pressure over the Draft Law dispute. Still, with the opposition blocked from filing another dissolution motion for six months, the fragile unity among Haredi parties may determine the coalition’s survival.
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