Live UpdateFrom the Liveblog of Monday, June 18, 2018

Bennett backs ultra-Orthodox enlistment bill, dismisses coalition crisis talk

18 June 2018, 3:41 pm Edit

Education Minister Naftali Bennett expresses backing for a bill formalizing exemptions to military service for ultra-Orthodox students while dismissing talk of a coalition crisis over the legislation.

“I think this is a measured law that gives an anwer to both the IDF and the ultra-Orthodox, who want the same think — a moderate and measured enlistment of ultra-Orthodox, without coercion or force,” Bennett says at his Jewish Home party’s weekly Knesset faction meeting.

Bennett dismisses talk of a crisis in the coalition over the bill amid ultra-Orthodox opposition.

“I think this is a ‘fake crisis,'” he says. “I think story is completely solvable.”