Controversial enlistment bill to come to vote next week, PM announces

A controversial bill that seeks to settle once and for all the issue of IDF enlistment by ultra-Orthodox Israelis is slated to come up for its first vote in the Knesset plenum as early as next week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces.

The contentious legislation is the product of a Defense Ministry committee report published earlier this month. The ministry called the framework “a durable, realistic and relevant arrangement” for ultra-Orthodox conscription.

The proposal sets minimum yearly targets for ultra-Orthodox conscription that, if not met, would result in financial sanctions on the yeshivas, or seminaries, where they study.

The ultra-Orthodox parties Shas and United Torah Judaism have announced that they will oppose the legislation in its current form.