Plesner and Ya'alon expected to finalize universal conscription bill Wednesday

Some gaps remain as parties hash out plan to enlist ultra-Orthodox, keep coalition together

Barring any last-minute hiccups, Deputy Prime Minister Moshe Ya’alon and MK Yohanan Plesner will on Wednesday present their draft bill for universal conscription to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, before submitting it to the government for approval on Sunday.

Since beginning to pow-wow on Sunday, the two have reportedly made substantial progress toward reaching a compromise that can hold the coalition together. However, gaps still remain on the sensitive issue of sanctions that will be placed on those who refuse to serve in military or national service.

Over the last six days the two men worked frantically to put together a bill that would satisfy both the secular parties demanding that all eligible citizens share in the burden of ensuring Israel’s security, and the ultra-Orthodox parties, who reject the premise, in an effort to keep the government intact.

The duo also held meetings with representatives of all the relevant government ministries in order to divide up responsibilities for the practical implementation of the new law.

According to a report in Israel Hayom, Plesner met on Tuesday with Rabbi Haim Druckman, who informed him that the national religious public would support the law. If so, it means that the Jewish Home party would vote in favor, helping secure its passage in the Knesset.

Ultra-Orthodox activists and politicians are gearing up for a mass rally opposing the draft next week, with United Torah Judaism MK Yaakov Litzman hinting that if an acceptable solution is not found, his party would torpedo the national budget negotiations in the fall.

Any gaps remaining between the sides by the end of the deliberations on Wednesday will be brought to Netanyahu and Kadima leader Shaul Mofaz to finalize. The bill has to be approved by the Cabinet before it can begin the legislation process in the Knesset.

With the legislature starting its summer recess on July 26, time is quickly running out. The High Court of Justice ruled last month that a new law regulating conscription must be in place by the end of the month, when the previous Tal Law, rejected as unconstitutional by the Court, expires.

Yisrael Beytenu intends to introduce its own bill later this week mandating compulsory army or national service for all Israeli citizens at age 18, Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman said at a party meeting on Monday.

Liberman rejected the conclusions of the Plesner committee, which recommended that yeshiva students only be subject to the draft at age 22.