Draft Law

Anti-draft demonstrators plan mass protests in J'lem, Bnei Brak

Yerushalmi Faction takes to the streets over expected passage of Draft Law. Rally expected to paralyze Bnei Brak, Jerusalem.

Edelstein: Elections will take place at their scheduled time

Knesset Speaker certain that an agreement will be reached over the Draft Law, believes no party in the coalition is interested in elections.

Agudat Yisrael to remain in coalition for now

Following government request for extension of deadline to pass Draft Law, UTJ's Agudat Yisrael faction will remain in the coalition.

Yesh Atid: No reason to extend draft law deadline

Yesh Atid submits counter-appeal requesting Supreme Court not approve extending Draft Law deadline.

Gov't asks High Court for 7 month extension to pass Draft Law

Governmant says in its appeal that it is unable to finish legislation by looming deadline.

Netanyahu: Haredi parties need to agree amongst themselves

PM Netanyahu rejects offer by Shas, Lithuanian-haredi MKs, to remain in government even if hasidic-haredi MKs leave.

The haredi parties' mistake

Yisrael Beytenu MK says haredi parties should not place themselves at the mercy of the Supreme Court.

Haredi lawmaker issues ultimatum on draft law

Dep Minister Yaakov Litzman gives coalition 1 week to come up with fix for controversial draft law, vows to quit gov't if no solution found.

'Negative law that perpetuates discrimination in country'

'Secular Yeshiva' network director calls on State to stop discrimination: 'Torah not exclusive inheritance of haredim.'

'The gaps between the sides are very large'

MK Yisrael Eichler says it will be almost impossible to reach an agreement on the Draft Law.

Is 'sharing the burden' of military service a realistic goal?

Conversation with Yohanan Plesner on the question of whether it is right to force recruitment on the haredi public.

How many haredim serve in the army? More than you thought

Minister Yisrael Katz reveals that the number of haredim who serve in the IDF is close to that of the general public.

Draft Law unlikely to be completed by end of summer session

Deputy Defense Minister pessimistic about the possibility of approving Draft Law by end of Knesset summer session.

Will United Torah Judaism party break apart?

Rep. of hasidic faction within UTJ says party will leave coalition if Draft Law passes, Lithuanian-haredi reps say 'no obligation' to leave.

Shaked: No one in the coalition wants elections

Justice Minister believes Supreme Court will not intervene in the Draft Law, says compromise can be reached to appease haredim.

TG4I: Hats off to the Haredim

'Without a compromise the government will fall'

Former Coalition Chairman MK David Bitan does not believe draft law will pass in its current form.

Joint List MK: Draft Law is a bluff

MK Dov Khenin opposes Draft Law. 'The army doesn't want to draft haredim. They should be allowed to study Torah,' he tells Arutz Sheva.

Poll: Israelis back end to deferments for yeshiva students

Following passage of controversial haredi draft law, poll shows most Israeli Jews back drafting nearly all yeshiva students into IDF.

Knesset approves first reading of Draft Law

63 MKs vote in favor of Draft Law, 39 MKs vote against.

Haredi MK threatens to bring down coalition

Deputy Health Minister MK Yaakov Litzman says UTJ party will leave coalition if draft law passes.

Liberman: Labor party's natural place with Arab parties, Meretz

Defense Minister says it is to be expected that Labor would vote against draft law.

Gabbay: Lapid a traitor to the opposition

Labor Party leader slams Yesh Atid faction for vote in favor of government draft law.

'Lapid is lying to the public'

Justice Minister Shaked slams Yesh Atid MKs for 'blatantly lying' about haredi draft law.

'I don't want Arabs flying our F-16s'

Yesh Atid lawmaker defends plan to draft haredim - while leaving most of Arab population exempt from IDF service.

'There are criminal sanctions in this draft law as well'

Yesh Atid MK claims his party's version of the draft law was better than Defense Minister Liberman's.

Ahead of critical vote, haredi lawmakers divided over draft law

On the day of the vote, Ashkenazic-haredi party still hasn't reached consensus on whether to vote against the draft bill or merely abstain.

Sephardic rabbis furious: 'They forged our signatures. Liars.'

Senior Sephardic rabbis enraged after anonymous notices bashing Draft Law has their signature affixed on it.

Draft Law approved by government

Bill expected to be submitted to Knesset for first reading tomorrow. Law will likely pass by large majority, with Yesh Atid's support.

Sephardic rabbis gather for anti-Draft Law prayer

During Knesset vote on Draft Law, Sephardic rabbis expected to hold prayer service at grave of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef against law.

Zandberg urges Lapid: Topple the government

Meretz MK calls on Yesh Atid chairman to topple the government over the draft law.

Bennett: Mass draft of haredim by force could backfire

Education Minister takes swipe at latest draft law aimed at yeshiva students, says haredi enlistment numbers rising even without new law.

United Torah Judaism to remain in coalition

MK Moses on draft law: The law will be approved in its first reading and that's fine. By the third reading it will be corrected.

Haredi draft law to be voted on next week

PM announces plans to vote on contentious draft law, says details of bill will be worked out only after preliminary vote.

Shas rabbi scorns 'gentile' government Draft Law budgets

'We have problem with enlisting yeshiva students; they threaten they won't give budgets; do we live according to these gentile's budgets?'

'Back haredi draft law - or we'll dismantle the government'

Coalition chairman demands haredi lawmakers get behind proposed draft law, threatening new elections if haredi MKs don't support proposal.

Shaked presents Lapid's deception

Justice Minister responds to Lapid's claims that the proposed draft law is the same as the one that the previous government approved.

'IDF and Chief of Staff support draft outline'

Yair Lapid says his party will support the draft law if it remains in its present form, but not if it is changed at all.

Liberman:

'The draft law is a balanced law'

DM at Yisrael Beiteinu faction meeting: Draft Law balanced and in broad consensus. Kites: 'We'll determine way to respond to kite terror.'

Labor vows to vote down haredi draft law

Avi Gabbay says his party will oppose any law which does not 'share the burden' of military service equally.

Shas MK: Haredi leadership will come to agreement on draft plan

Haredi lawmaker says proposed draft law is 'the least terrible option,' says in the worst case, his party won't vote for the law.

Haredi lawmakers divided over draft law

Ashkenazic-haredi UTJ party divided on whether to accept Defense Ministry's draft bill, quit coalition, or insist on changes.

Possible Haredi split over Draft Law

Hassidic Agudat Yisrael will oppose the current bill but Lithuanian Degel HaTorah and Shas are still undecided and rumors abound.

Haredi parties to leave coalition if draft law advances

Council of Torah Sages instructs haredi MKs, ministers to resign from the coalition if current draft law is not changed.

Haredi Council of Torah Sages to decide fate of coalition

Haredi council determines whether Defense Ministry's proposed draft law is acceptable compromise or requires haredim to leave coalition.

Recruitment recommendations include economic sanctions

Joint Defense Ministry and IDF committee recommends new recruitment targets, gradually increasing number of those serving in haredi sector.

Report: If haredi 'Draft Law' passes, DM will leave coalition

Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman will leave the coalition if haredi 'Draft Law' passes - and the haredi parties will leave if it does not.

Police investigate haredi group over anti-IDF street performance

Edah Haharedit reportedly organized street performance in which children were encouraged to hurl fruit at actor dressed as IDF soldier.

Shaked: Draft of haredim will not be forced

'The Supreme Court should not have intervened in the draft law. Intervention only causes problems.'

Coalition Chairman: Haredi draft law may not pass this session

Coalition chairman tells haredi parties not to make an ultimatum, points out that half of northern Tel Aviv doesn't serve in the IDF either.

Haredi businessmen are threatening yeshiva deans, says rabbi

Sephardic-haredi rabbi says prominent religious businessmen demanding yeshiva deans not criticize IDF service in talks with their students.

Knesset opens summer session:

On agenda: Nationality, Overrule Clause, draft, conversion

Knesset enters challenging summer session of controversial legislation. Festive atmosphere expected for US embassy transfer in two weeks.

'Calling haredi MKs blackmailers is incitement'

UTJ MK Uri Maklev says haredi Draft Law should be passed during the Knesset's summer session. 'Everyone knows the timetables.'

Litzman sets a red line

Deputy Health Minister reiterates that he will leave the government if the draft law isn't approved by the end of the Knesset session.

9 injured during haredi anti-draft riots

Hundreds protest against IDF draft office in Jerusalem, clashing with police as officers hurl stun grenades at rioters. 4 officers injured.

Video: Extremists besiege religious soldier

Extremist haredi youths turned violent at the sight of a kippah-wearing soldier in uniform. An eyewitness recounts the experience.

Haredim attack haredi Knesset Member Meir Porush

Dozens of haredim attack Deputy Education Minister Meir Porush as he exits morning prayers in Beit Shemesh.

Minister Yariv Levin:

'Netanyahu will lead Israel for many years to come'

Tourism Minister says investigations against PM show nothing, Israel has seen incredible achievements recently.

28 arrested as haredi demonstrators block roads in Bnei Brak

Yerushalmi Faction protesters take to the streets to condemn arrest of haredi draft dodger. Highway 4 blocked as part of protests.

Likud MK: Free Elor for Passover

MK Nurit Koren urges the military prosecution to show mercy and release former IDF soldier Elor Azariya from prison.