Following the incitement against the ultra-Orthodox sector, Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri, Torah Judaism Chairman Yitzhak Goldknopf, and Degel HaTorah Chairman Moshe Gafni appealed to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu with the demand to freeze the legislation, even if the Conscription Law is passed, Yishai Cohen published in Kikar HaShabbat.
According to the publication, the ultra-Orthodox demand the continuation of legislation by consent only, even at the cost of the resignation of Justice Minister Yariv Levin. The demand follows the permeating understanding among ultra-Orthodox politicians that the legislation does not help the ultra-Orthodox public and even harms it and leads to a fight against it and against that way of life, and especially against the Conscription Law.
In recent days, after meetings with the Minister of Defense and other senior officials in the IDF and the security establishment, the ultra-Orthodox realized that at this stage they will not be able to pass a conscription law to their heart's content, due to the public unrest and the protests of the reservists and pilots.
As a result, the leaders of the factions decided to inform the Prime Minister that they demand to freeze the rest of the legislation without a time limit and to advance by agreement only, according to them they will oppose any unilateral move promoted by the Minister of Justice Levin.
Ultra-orthodox officials said that even if the Conscription Law is passed as the Haredim want, they will not support the core of the legislation that Yariv Levin is seeking to pass, but it is possible that they will support certain parts of the reform.
In recent weeks, the ultra-orthodox newspapers have published editorials seeking to stop the legislation and enter into full negotiations, this in an effort to prevent a rift in the nation. Now it seems that from editorials, the ultra-orthodox have moved to taking action.
The Shas Party responded: "Shas Chairman Rabbi Aryeh Deri shares the efforts of Prime Minister Netanyahu and works together with him to bring about the continuation of the reform legislation by agreement, with the hope that on the other side there will be a responsible person willing to reach agreements."
On behalf of the Likud party and the heads of Torah Judaism Rabbi Goldknopf and Rabbi Gafni issued a denial to the media reports and emphasized: contrary to the reports, all the heads of the coalition are working in full cooperation to pass both the Conscription Law and the legal reform.
