Knesset committee to vote tomorrow on removing Edelstein as defense panel chair

By Ariela Karmel

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3 August 2025, 3:02 pm

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Ariela Karmel is a political correspondent at The Times of Israel. She previously reported for Calcalist and Haaretz. She holds an MA in Middle Eastern and African History from Tel Aviv University and a BA in Political Science from the University of British Columbia.

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Yuli Edelstein, delivers a statement to the media on the military draft law at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, July 15, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

The Knesset House Committee will vote tomorrow to formally remove MK Yuli Edelstein as chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Monday, after Likud lawmakers voted overwhelmingly last week to replace him with fellow Likud MK Boaz Bismuth.

At 11 a.m., the Knesset House Committee will vote on appointing Bismuth and, if approved, the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee will hold its vote at 2:30 p.m. to confirm the appointment — formally ousting Edelstein from one of the legislature’s most powerful posts.

The move comes after Edelstein refused to advance a draft exemption bill, based on a compromise with the Haredi parties, under which most ultra-Orthodox men would continue to avoid military or national service. Replacing him with Bismuth is widely seen as a gesture to the ultra-Orthodox factions whose support is crucial to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition.

Only two coalition MKs would need to vote against the ouster to block it, but that appears unlikely. Otzma Yehudit MK Tzvika Fogel, who sits on the Knesset House Committee, said last week he would oppose Edelstein’s dismissal. It remains unclear if anyone will join him.