A special Knesset Committee yesterday approved a proposal requiring all Yeshiva (rabbinical seminary) students to serve in civilian guard duty for two weeks a year. The proposal, sponsored by Committee Chairman MK Yossi Katz of Labor, will now go to the Knesset for its final readings - in the shadow of a coalition crisis threat. Religious parties say that the proposal, which was included as a surprise addendum to the Tal bill regulating yeshiva student draft deferments, would be the first \"step in the door\" for anti-hareidi elements to ban the deferments altogether. Their fear is that the demand for two weeks of civil guard duty would likely be followed by demands for longer periods of time.
Prime Minister Sharon promised representatives of the United Torah Judaism party that he would oppose Katz\'s amendment. The proposal was supported by MKs of Labor, Shinui, Meretz, Yisrael B\'Aliyah, Center, and even Sha\'ul Yahalom of the NRP. Voting against were those from UTJ, Shas, Gesher, and Likud, while MK Uri Ariel (National Union) asked for revisions and a revote. Ariel informed Arutz-7 today that he objects to both Katz\'s proposal and the way in which Katz attempted to \"snatch\" the vote.
Prime Minister Sharon promised representatives of the United Torah Judaism party that he would oppose Katz\'s amendment. The proposal was supported by MKs of Labor, Shinui, Meretz, Yisrael B\'Aliyah, Center, and even Sha\'ul Yahalom of the NRP. Voting against were those from UTJ, Shas, Gesher, and Likud, while MK Uri Ariel (National Union) asked for revisions and a revote. Ariel informed Arutz-7 today that he objects to both Katz\'s proposal and the way in which Katz attempted to \"snatch\" the vote.