After Embarrassing Failure, Charedi Draft Bill Passes First Knesset Hurdle

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — In a blow to Charedim and the right-wing parties, the IDF draft bill has passed its first voting round, two weeks after it was shot down in an embarrassing loss for Prime Minister Bennet’s coalition.

On Monday evening, the Knesset’s first reading of the Charedi draft legislation passed 51-48.

The bill, which still requires two more readings to become law, would force Charedim to be drafted into the IDF and lower the age of exemption for yeshiva students to 21.

That age reduction would last two years, after which the age would increase to 22, then a year later to 23. In addition, the bill sets targets for the number of Charedim drafted per year, which would increase incrementally.

If targets are not met, the state budget for yeshiva stipends would be reduced.

Ra’am leader Mansour Abbas voted for the bill, and Meretz MK Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi, who surprisingly voted against the bill two weeks ago, also voted in favor.

Retired General and Likud MK Yoav Galant opposed the bill, saying that it would do more harm than good to draft those who do not want to serve.

Following the vote, UTJ leader Moshe Gafni shouted at Bennett, saying the bill was shameful. Earlier he said that he was more ashamed of the legislation than any other in Israel’s history.

The Israeli Supreme Court set a deadline, saying that the bill must be passed by the end of January.