Knesset Rejects the Bill to Dissolve Itself Blocking New Elections for Six Months

In a dramatic vote on Thursday night, the Knesset rejected a bill to dissolve itself in a preliminary reading, effectively blocking any chance of new elections for the next six months. The bill was defeated with 61 members voting against and 53 in favor, after days of political wrangling, rabbinic influence, and intra-coalition negotiations centered on the contentious ultra-Orthodox draft law.

The opposition’s attempt, led by Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid, was aimed at toppling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition over its perceived capitulation to Haredi demands and failure to pass a new draft law mandating IDF enlistment for yeshiva students.

“Again, you spat in the faces of IDF fighters. Again, you sold out our fighters—for what? Two more weeks? Three more?” Lapid charged during the plenary debate. “The Haredim had two options tonight—lose the draft exemption or lose the government. The government helped them choose exemption.”

Rabbinic Pressure Tips the Scales

The outcome was heavily influenced by senior ultra-Orthodox rabbis, including Rabbi Dov Landau and Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch, who instructed Haredi lawmakers to vote against the bill after receiving updates on the status of negotiations with coalition leaders.

Behind the scenes, key Haredi figures, including MK Moshe Gafni and MKs Uri Maklev and Yaakov Asher, held consultations with rabbinic authorities, ensuring compliance with their directives. Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri also worked to postpone the vote by at least a week, aligning with Prime Minister Netanyahu’s interest in delaying any political upheaval while discussions on the draft law continue.

Despite efforts to delay the bill, its rejection renders future resubmission impossible for six months, requesting by Haredi parties to postpone irrelevant in practical terms.

Draft Law Negotiations Advance

MK Yuli Edelstein, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, announced that agreements had been reached on the principles of a new draft law.

“After long discussions, we reached agreements on the principles on which the draft law will be based,” Edelstein said. “Only a bill that is real, effective, and leads to a broader IDF recruitment base will emerge from the committee under my leadership.”

The proposed law outlines tiered sanctions for yeshiva students who avoid enlistment, including the revocation of driver's licenses, travel restrictions, and loss of state-funded benefits. The implementation of these penalties would roll out in three stages: immediate, six months, and one year after passage, depending on compliance.

Coalition Dynamics and Political Appointments at Stake

While Degel HaTorah and Shas issued a joint statement confirming support for continued draft law negotiations, Agudat Yisrael took a more confrontational stance, warning it would support Knesset dissolution if no binding legislation was submitted.

Adding further complexity, Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf threatened to resign if the draft law does not materialize. However, internal divisions within Agudat Yisrael suggest not all members are aligned.

Meanwhile, political sources say that Deri and Netanyahu’s camp are concerned about the consequences of entering an election period—namely, the inability to complete key public appointments across government agencies. These include:

• Appointments of city rabbis and dayanim to the Great Rabbinical Court

• Heads of the Population Authority and Religious Services Center

• Chair of Mifal HaPais (Lottery Authority)

• Director-generals in Shas-controlled ministries (Interior, Labor)

• Strategic roles in the Airports Authority, EAPC, and more

Among the top candidates are Ronen Peretz, currently Director-General of the Interior Ministry, and Israel Ozan, a former aide to Deri, earmarked for Director-General of the Labor Ministry.

Conclusion

With the dissolution bill defeated, Netanyahu's government survives—at least for the time being. However, tensions over the draft law, Haredi enlistment, and coalition loyalty continue to escalate, as key factions seek to leverage their influence in the weeks ahead. Whether real legislative progress is made—or whether political gridlock resumes—remains to be seen.