Likud lawmakers demand ‘urgent’ meeting to pass Haredi exemption bill, say doing so is matter of ‘national interest’

Multiple Likud ministers and MKs call on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to arrange an “urgent” meeting of the right-wing factions to advance an outline for legislation that will largely exempt Haredi males from IDF conscription to “ensure continued partnership with the ultra-Orthodox public and its representatives in the Knesset.”

The letter argues that there is a “real danger of breaking up the partnership with our Haredi brothers, who have stood shoulder to shoulder with us all… in times of war” and “in times of crisis” and “showed national responsibility” by joining the coalition “when parties pretending to be right-wing rejected cooperation with the government.”

“For the first time in many years, we are witnessing a precedent-setting, genuine, profound, and courageous move led by the Haredi parties in a sincere attempt to bring about a new and fair regulation of the conscription issue,” they claim.

In a veiled attack on Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman Yuli Edelstein, they argue that advancement on the issue had been stymied by presenting demands “apparently intended to torpedo” any agreement.

“We cannot turn our backs on our natural partners,” nor “harm the continuity of right-wing rule — this is a national interest of the highest order,” the Likud politicians declare.

The letter was written by Likud lawmaker Eliyahu Revivo and signed by Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman, Transportation Minister Miri Regev and Energy Minister Eli Cohen, as well as several party MKs.

Likud is slated to hold a faction meeting to deal with replacing Edelstein on Wednesday.