Netanyahu US trip delayed over ultra-Orthodox draft dispute
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Netanyahu's Washington visit was delayed a few hours as ultra-Orthodox parties demanded progress on a controversial draft exemption law.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference in occupied al-Quds, on May 21, 2025 (Pool Photo via AP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delayed his departure to Washington amid mounting pressure from ultra-Orthodox blocs demanding immediate progress on the military service exemption law, Israeli Channel 12 reported. These parties have threatened to collapse the government if their demands are not met in the coming days.
Three-and-a-half hours behind schedule, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took off from Ben Gurion Airport. The delay underscores the growing political tensions within the coalition, as the ultra-Orthodox demand swift legislative action.
Likud lawmaker Yuli Edelstein met with representatives of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party to present a draft compromise bill aimed at regulating the conscription of yeshiva students. This initiative came amid mounting pressure from Haredi factions, who demanded the opportunity to review the legislation ahead of Netanyahu’s visit to the United States.
The final draft is expected to be presented to lawmakers within 48 hours, after Edelstein insisted on introducing further amendments, according to Israel Hayom.
Opposition slams 'evasion law' as undemocratic
Opposition figures strongly criticized the legislative process. Yair Lapid, leader of the opposition, posted on X; "If Yuli Edelstein, under pressure from Netanyahu, presents the law to the ultra-Orthodox before presenting it to soldiers and reservists, that sums up the whole story of the ‘evasion law.’"
Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman declared, "The time has come to put an end to the rule of the evaders. Conscription for all, this is the call of the hour." Meanwhile, the Democratic chief Yair Golan added, "Whoever needed proof that this law won’t draft a single ultra-Orthodox person got it the moment Edelstein went to approve the draft law with the Shas representative."
Coinciding with the political maneuvering, Israeli occupation forces announced that they will issue 54,000 draft notices this week to ultra-Orthodox individuals whose military exemptions as yeshiva students have expired. The IOF also plan to intensify enforcement measures against draft evaders and deserters across all communities.
The convergence of coalition threats, legislative debate, and military enforcement has intensified the political crisis, casting a shadow over Netanyahu’s foreign agenda and raising fresh doubts about the stability of the ruling government.
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Uneasing tension
Earlier last month, tensions within "Israel's" ruling coalition were reaching a boiling point as ultra-Orthodox political parties threatened on June 8 to dismantle the Knesset over the government's failure to enact legislation shielding yeshiva students from military conscription.
According to Israel Hayom, far-right religious factions, known collectively as the Haredi bloc, were united in their readiness to break ranks with Netanyahu, whom they labeled "a burden". Their frustration stemmed from the delayed passage of a long-promised draft exemption law, derailed by both legal rulings and internal coalition disagreements.
A senior figure in Degel HaTorah told the newspaper that "all the Haredi parties are coordinated regarding the vote." The same official alluded to internal discord among government allies, saying: "Aryeh Deri (leader of the extremist Shas party) is torn between his voters and will only join after we lead the move."
Deri himself confirmed the party's stance in recent statements: "There is no choice left. We don't like it, but we need to support the dissolution of the Knesset," adding that Netanyahu "is mocking us" through continued inaction.
