Coalition Crisis: Recruitment Exemption and Netanyahu’s Instruction for a “Tempting” Budget Approval

Ongoing Recruitment Exemption Crisis

The recruitment exemption crisis continues this week, as the proposed legislation aimed at addressing this issue is set to be submitted to the Knesset only after the upcoming Shavuot holiday. MK Yuli Edelstein has indicated that the bill will include personal and institutional sanctions, a formulation likely to face opposition from ultra-Orthodox parties who prefer the status quo rather than enforcement measures.

Netanyahu’s Budget Proposal Strategy

In light of the coalition crisis, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed preparations for a quick approval of the state budget as early as August. This initiative, termed “the tempting budget,” is not expected to resolve the recruitment issue but aims to offer economic compensations to the ultra-Orthodox community. Netanyahu’s strategy introduces the idea of a fast-tracked budget that would allow the ultra-Orthodox parties to have significant input and potentially receive reimbursements for some of their financial losses.

Despite these efforts, the ultra-Orthodox community may pose challenges, demanding approval of the recruitment exemption law as a condition for their support.

Coalition Tensions and Potential Boycotts

The recruitment exemption crisis has escalated tensions within the coalition, with ultra-Orthodox parties threatening to boycott votes on governmental bills. Consequently, the coalition has withdrawn several proposals to avoid embarrassment. Amid this turmoil, there were two instances where the coalition failed to extend the approval of reserve military servstart as mandated by state orders. Additionally, mutual threats of heading to new elections have been expressed.

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef’s Critique

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, the spiritual leader of Shas, has criticized the government multiple times in recent weeks amidst the recruitment crisis. In a notable incident, he recounted how he tore up a conscription order related to start of his students, expressing dissatisfaction with the ultra-Orthodox position within right-wing governments. He stated, “If we had aligned with the left, it would have been much better. Stuck with the right, I don’t know what they found there,” reflecting on the community’s doubts about their political alliance. Furthermore, he warned that if yeshiva students were to be arrested, “we will all move abroad,” asserting that without Torah, there is no justification for remaining in the country.

In summary, as the coalition navigates through this ongoing crisis, the interactions between the government and the ultra-Orthodox parties remain fraught with tension, indicating a potentially unstable political landscape in the coming weeks