Moetzes Sets Deadline With Regard to Draft Law

Following a request by the government to the High Court to postpone the deadline for a new military draft law for another seven months, the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudas Yisrael instructed the party’s Knesset members on Tuesday to wait until the beginning of Chodesh Elul before leaving the coalition, if the High Court does not accede to the government’s request.

The decision came following internal discussions among the members of the Moetzes.

The Agudah MKs are hopeful that by that date the High Court will have granted the request for the seven-month delay, which will in turn allow the coalition to finalize an acceptable form of a new law before the end of the Knesset’s winter session. According to the ruling of the High Court a year ago, the government currently has only until 3 Tishrei to pass a law regarding the drafting of yeshivah students into the army. With this deadline looming, the Moetzes has now instructed the MKs that if the High Court will not agree to an extension, they are to leave the coalition immediately.