Yaakov Asher.Photo: detaly.co.il.
The coalition in Israel is facing the threat of a split over a controversial bill on subsidies for ultra-Orthodox communities for dormitory accommodation. The bill, which aims to overturn a High Court ruling limiting funding, has faced opposition from some members of the ruling coalition. According to TimeUkraineIsrael , citing the Israeli newspaper Ynet, the issue of subsidies for haredim is currently causing a serious crisis in the Israeli government.
Controversial draft law and MPs’ refusal
A growing number of coalition MPs, including Yulia Edelstein and Ohad Tal, have announced their refusal to support the bill. They explain their position by the need for changes that would take into account the interests of reservists and ordinary citizens. Likud MK Eli Dellal, Defence Minister Yoav Galant and a number of other parliamentarians also have doubts about voting for the law, which calls into question its passage in the Knesset.
Conflict within the coalition and the position of the ultra-orthodox
The conflict is also escalating among ultra-Orthodox factions. A member of the Torah Judaism party, Israel Eichler, continues to insist on the adoption of the law, despite the risks involved. One influential haredi official sharply criticises Eichler’s actions, comparing the situation to “punishment for a crime” when “we ate a stinking fish and were expelled from the city”.
Government position and the threat of crisis
Attorney General Gali Bahar-Miara stated that the bill violates constitutional norms and undermines the stability of the IDF by encouraging service evasion. In addition, religious Zionists, as well as some representatives of the Ministry of Immigration, have stated their conditions for supporting the bill. At the same time, haredim hint at a possible crisis: as MK Yaakov Asher said, “we have nothing to lose,” and they are ready to take radical steps.
Impact on reservists and society
Reservists and their families are also expressing outrage, as the draft law makes the burden of service more difficult for military families. Elisheva Ehrenreich, the wife of a reservist, stressed the importance of support for families, and Major Yoav Weintraub called on ultra-Orthodox youth to serve together for the good of the country.
