Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman MK Boaz Bismuth, met Sunday with the Karliner Rebbe ahead of renewed committee discussions on the revised version of the Draft Law.
The meeting took place at the Karliner Rebbe’s request.
In recent months, Bismuth has held a series of meetings with other hasidic leaders in an effort to advance the legislation.
It is estimated that the latest meeting, along additional contacts with haredi representatives, shows a sign of progress, potentially ahead of renewed Committee deliberations as early as next week.
The updated draft is expected to be released several days before dates for the Committee discussions are set. If deliberations resume next week, the new wording could be published by this Thursday.
Meanwhile, Bismuth sent a letter Sunday to Maj. Gen. Dado Bar Kalifa, head of the IDF’s Personnel Directorate, urging the military to finalize the General Staff directive that would formally define the conditions for haredi soldiers.
The directive is meant to include gender-segregated bases, a rabbinical committee to supervise the conditions, and designated Torah study hours. Bismuth warned that the lack of progress on the proposal makes advancing the law more difficult.
“I am determined to resolve this issue,” Bismuth wrote. “But moving forward requires approval from the IDF's General Staff. This is a central and essential component for advancing the law, restoring trust, and establishing a foundation for a real solution. It takes two to tango.”