Israeli media reported that ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties, commonly referred to as the Haredim, informed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that they reject efforts to advance a compulsory military service law.
According to Yedioth Ahronoth, representatives of the Haredi parties told Netanyahu and coalition officials that they do not trust the government to manage the legislation in a way acceptable to them.
The report quoted them as saying: “We absolutely do not trust that you will introduce the compulsory military service law.”
The dispute centres on proposals concerning mandatory military service for ultra-Orthodox Jews, an issue that has repeatedly caused political crises inside Israeli governments.
Israeli media said it remains unclear whether the Haredi parties aim merely to block introduction of the legislation before elections or to oppose it entirely at a later stage.
The report added that Boaz Bismuth, head of the Knesset National Security Committee, had planned to publish the draft text of the law.
Israeli political commentator Amit Segal predicted that early elections could take place on 15th September because of the escalating dispute between Netanyahu and the Haredi parties.
Segal argued that shortening the election campaign would not suit Netanyahu politically and described the current moment as one of the most difficult periods facing the prime minister.
He cited several pressures confronting Netanyahu simultaneously, including uncertainty over maintaining a right-wing parliamentary bloc, continued tensions in Lebanon, and the ongoing confrontation involving Iran.
