Israel’s ruling Likud party is directing mounting frustration at senior lawmaker Yuli Edelstein, accusing him of derailing efforts to pass a military draft exemption law for ultra-Orthodox men and pushing the coalition toward collapse. The internal discord comes as the country's religious parties, central to the coalition, remain largely silent amid growing speculation over a potential government breakup.
Edelstein, chair of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, is overseeing the controversial draft legislation and has resisted pressure from Likud to soften his stance. Party officials say his refusal to compromise is threatening the coalition’s stability at a sensitive security moment.
“Despite the ultra-Orthodox compromising again and again, Edelstein has decided to break up the government,” a senior coalition official said Wednesday. “He’s not going to pass the draft law, not one Haredi will enlist, and we could end up with a left-wing government in the middle of a war.”
Sources close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that the Knesset would not be dissolved, despite growing fears of early elections.
Edelstein has maintained a consistent position for more than a year, pushing for a version of the draft law that includes sanctions for eligible ultra-Orthodox men who do not enlist. He wants to exclude recruits to emergency services like the police and Magen David Adom from counting toward draft quotas, insisting the law should focus on combat soldiers and combat-support roles.
“What’s happening now is an attempt to weaken a law that actually enables enlistment,” a source close to Edelstein said. “His bill is logical, effective and fair. We understand the ultra-Orthodox fear — this is a historic change — but it’s the only draft law that will realistically leave the committee.”
The disagreement has sparked warnings from the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party, whose spiritual leaders are weighing whether to leave the government or support dissolving the Knesset. Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch and Rabbi Dov Landau — two top Haredi leaders — have signaled that they may instruct their party to exit the coalition.
This morning, Landau reportedly declined to speak with Netanyahu, though it should be noted he routinely avoids direct contact with Israeli political leaders. In addition, sources told Ynetnews that Hirsch also refused a conversation with Netanyahu today, despite the two having spoken as recently as March. A source in Rabbi Hirsch’s circle said, “If the prime minister wants to talk, he should bring something new.”
Senior ultra-Orthodox political figures told Ynet that Netanyahu “is out of touch and doesn’t grasp the magnitude of what we’re dealing with.” They added, “Yuli Edelstein is demanding far more than the opposition is willing to offer us, so it’s not certain negotiations will be harder with them going forward.” The Haredi boycott in the Knesset is expected to continue today, marking the fifth straight week that coalition-sponsored private bills will be blocked from advancing.
Meanwhile, the prime minister’s adviser, Nevo Katz, met this morning with MK Moshe Gafni in an effort to bridge the divide. Allies of Rabbi Hirsch are also seeking a compromise but admit chances are slim. “It’s very unlikely, but we’re trying,” a source close to the rabbi said.
“The senior rabbis have decided — we’re going to elections,” a Degel HaTorah source said. “There’s been no progress on the draft issue, and the party may soon quit the coalition.”
A bill to dissolve the Knesset has not yet been submitted, though opposition lawmakers were prepared for such a move after the Shavuot holiday. If submitted next week, it could pass a preliminary reading.
The Shas party, also part of the coalition, has yet to comment publicly and reportedly imposed a media blackout on its Knesset members. The silence from Shas and other religious factions has added to the uncertainty surrounding the government’s future. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, usually outspoken, have not commented on the crisis.
Edelstein’s stance has drawn strong support from reservist groups, who say a weak draft law would betray public trust and endanger national security. “We are stretched to the limit,” the Brothers in Arms reservist organization said. “To pass a draft-evasion law now is a blow to Israel’s defense.”
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Meanwhile, ultra-Orthodox critics accused Edelstein of deceiving them. “He hid the real content of the bill and is using us in his fight against Netanyahu,” one source said.
Despite a late-night meeting between Edelstein and ultra-Orthodox representatives, disagreements remain over when sanctions would take effect and how draft targets will be defined.
As political maneuvering intensifies, Netanyahu faces a growing test from within his own party. Edelstein has signaled he will not back down.
“Now is the moment of truth,” said a reservist statement supporting Edelstein. “Don’t give in now. We’re counting on you.”
First published: 08:46, 06.04.25