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Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir speaks to troops of the Kfir Brigade's Netzah Yehuda Battalion, a largely Orthodox unit, in the Gaza Strip, March 6, 2025. (Israel Defense Forces)
July 13, 2026, 8:57 pm
IDF chief denounces ‘inconceivable’ bill that will freeze most ultra-Orthodox enlistment
In letter to Netanyahu, Defense Minister Katz, and Knesset defense committee, Zamir calls legislation ‘unequivocally inconsistent’ with IDF’s manpower needs, laments move to have army officers oversee exemptions
By Emanuel Fabian and Jeremy Sharon
Opposition Yesh Atid MKs Elazar Stern (left) and Meir Cohen (right) shout during a Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee hearing on legislation to freeze the arrests of ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers, July 12, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
July 12, 2026, 10:32 pm
Bill approved for final Knesset readings would ease continued mass Haredi non-enlistment for at least 7 months
Coalition-backed legislation much more far-reaching than earlier versions, gives current and future Haredi draft dodgers immunity from arrest, freezes existing criminal proceedings, and makes oversight over immunity process impossible
By Jeremy Sharon
Likud MK Boaz Bismuth leads a Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting in Knesset, Jerusalem, July 1, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
July 1, 2026, 5:25 pm
Likud MK Bismuth warns of ‘domestic interference’ in elections, points at High Court
Summoning Shin Bet chief, Knesset defense committee chair says justices’ decision to freeze comptroller appointment due to suspected tainted vote could become ‘a slippery slope’
By Ariela Karmel and ToI Staff
MK Boaz Bismuth leads a Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, February 24, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
June 28, 2026, 9:19 pm
Knesset panel to advance measure freezing arrests of Haredi draft evaders for 90 days
Foreign affairs and defense panel chair makes announcement amid bid to end Haredi boycott of coalition; opposition slams bill equating Torah study, IDF service
By Ariela Karmel, Sam Sokol and ToI Staff
Brig. Gen. Shay Tayeb, head of the IDF Personnel Directorate’s Planning and Personnel Management Division, at a Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting at the Knesset, May 20, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
May 21, 2026, 12:03 am
Army complains of manpower shortage as Knesset restarts work on draft exemption bill
‘We will very soon reach the region of ​​80,000-90,000 draft dodgers,’ IDF official tells MKs, as PM launches last-ditch campaign to pass law sparing Haredim from conscription
By Sam Sokol
MK Boaz Bismuth chairs a meeting of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, January 15, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
May 17, 2026, 4:51 pm
As coalition collapses around him, Netanyahu revives Haredi draft exemption bill
Renewal of deliberations ‘just an attempt to delay the election date,’ says senior Haredi political official. Lapid accuses PM of ‘selling out Israel’s security’
By Sam Sokol
Government supporters gather ahead of the funeral procession for Maj. Gen. Majid Khademi, head of intelligence for Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, in Tehran, Iran, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
April 9, 2026, 10:38 pm
IDF tells Knesset panel new Iranian regime even more extreme
MKs told new leadership dominated by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards; Bismuth says fighting may soon restart, as panel extends reservist call-up through May 14
By Ariela Karmel
MK Boaz Bismuth leads a Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, February 24, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
March 31, 2026, 11:39 am
Coalition to advance ultra-Orthodox draft exemption bill after pause due to Iran war
Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chair Bismuth says work will resume on the controversial legislation when war ends, after IDF chief warned cabinet that manpower shortages risk army’s ‘collapse’
By ToI Staff
A masked soldier, identified as Meir, looks at the camera as he opens the door of the car where CNN correspondent Jeremy Diamond, left, sits detained in the northern West Bank village of Tayasir, March 26, 2026. (Screen capture: CNN)
March 30, 2026, 12:33 pm
IDF chief: Detention, alleged assault of CNN crew in West Bank ‘grave ethical incident’
Reservist who made far-right remarks during incident expected to be dismissed; head of Knesset defense committee slams Zamir for removing battalion from West Bank service
By Emanuel Fabian
Shas party leader MK Aryeh Deri, right, speaks with United Torah Judaism No. 2 MK Moshe Gafni during a Knesset plenum session in Jerusalem, February 10, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
March 5, 2026, 6:02 pm
In midst of war with Iran, Haredim continue to push for sweeping draft exemptions
Spokeswoman for Knesset defense panel chairman Boaz Bismuth says draft of controversial bill ready to advance once Knesset resumes normal parliamentary activity
By Sam Sokol
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu takes part in a Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem on February 5, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
February 5, 2026, 9:06 pm
Netanyahu said to tell MKs there was ‘no treason’ on Oct. 7, countering his son’s conspiracy theory
Premier reportedly tells closed-door meeting there were ‘intelligence failures,’ but he didn’t ignore pre-onslaught warnings; opposition accuses him of ‘once again fleeing the truth’
By Sam Sokol and ToI Staff
MK Boaz Bismuth chairs a meeting of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, January 27, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
January 28, 2026, 3:52 am
Likud MK says legislation regulating Haredi enlistment is ready for committee vote
‘We are reaching the finish line,’ boasts Boaz Bismuth, urging fellow lawmakers to pass controversial bill in its final two readings despite objections of IDF brass, AG and others
By Sam Sokol
Ultra-Orthodox Jews protest against Haredi conscription outside the IDF Recruitment Center at Tel Hashomer, January 4, 2026. (Erik Marmor/Flash90)
January 27, 2026, 10:46 pm
Up to 80% of all draft evaders are ultra-Orthodox, IDF general tells Knesset
Total number of those classified as draft evaders or as having not shown up when ordered jumps from 13,000 to 68,000 over just two years, after broad Haredi exemption ruled illegal
By Sam Sokol
Lt. Col. Avigdor Dickstein (left), who is in charge of encouraging ultra-Orthodox enlistment, and Brig. Gen. Shay Tayeb (right), head of the IDF Personnel Directorate’s Planning and Personnel Management Division, at the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee’s Subcommittee for IDF Human Resources, May 21, 2025. (Noam Moskowitz, Office of the Knesset Spokesperson)
January 20, 2026, 10:55 pm
30,000 Israelis designated as draft evaders, but true figure is higher, IDF says
Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee told the figure is likely to rise by many thousands in coming month, as coalition rushes to pass law exempting Haredim from service
By Sam Sokol
Shas chairman Aryeh Deri (center-right) chairs a faction meeting in Knesset, December 8, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
January 4, 2026, 8:03 pm
Shas vows to oppose 2026 budget unless coalition passes Haredi draft exemption bill
Deputy AG assails government for ignoring High Court order on sanctions for draft dodgers; Goldknopf compares penalties for yeshiva students to ‘yellow star’
By Sam Sokol
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