From the Liveblog of
Monday, May 12, 2025
Coalition forced to ask ultra-Orthodox to back mass call-up in key Knesset meeting
Sam Sokol is the Times of Israel's political correspondent. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
Members of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee are reportedly unable to approve the government’s emergency call-up of tens of thousands of additional reservists ahead of its expected offensive in Gaza, after the coalition failed to muster enough support.
The lack of backing has forced the coalition to call for ultra-Orthodox members of the committee to enlist in the effort to approve the call-up, the Ynet news site reports.
A source with direct knowledge of the proceedings in the closed door meeting confirms the report to The Times of Israel.
Failure to approve the call-up in the committee could jeopardize the mass mobilization needed for further action in Gaza sought by the government, the source says.
Haredi parties have boycotted coalition legislation as they seek to pressure the government into approving military draft exemptions for the ultra-Orthodox community.
The Times of Israel Community.