There is much speculation and concern in the chareidi community with the announced surprise coalition deal which has pushed off early elections. The new coalition, which is 94 strong will focus on a number of key issues, first and foremost advancing legislation for a so-called new Tal Law, a bill that will address the need of chareidim to accept “their share of the burden” for the defense of the country through IDF or national service.
The other issues that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu committed to place atop the national agenda are changing the form of government to better resemble the American model, another matter that is detrimental for the chareidi tzibur. Such a move will strip the chareidi voting public of much of its political clout, adding to concerns surrounding the coalition. Lastly, the coalition stated it remains committed to reaching a comprehensive peace agreement with the PA (Palestinian Authority). In the words of Shaul Mofaz, this will be accomplished by “significant territorial compromise”.
What is certain at present is the fact that elections will not be held on 17 Elul 5772 as was believed a day ago, and the government is settling down to complete its term until national elections in October 2013.
Both Shas and Yahadut HaTorah have released messages expressing their approval of the deal, concurring with the prime minister that the good of the nation comes before all else.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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4 Responses
“Both Shas and Yahadut HaTorah have released messages expressing their approval of the deal, concurring with the prime minister that the good of the nation comes before all else.”
What does the good of the Nation Klal Yisroel have anything to do with these guys Political positions and coalitions. These religious parties speak foolish and as the days go by they beleive more and more in the non sense they are speaking.
Moshiach zol shoyn kumen.
1. It is unlikely the Palestinians will off “peace” for “land”, especially if the Israeli ask for normalized relations with the Islamic countries (including Iran) as part of “peace.”
2. Abolishing yeshiva “deferments” would seriously destabilize the army and hurt Israel internationally, since it could result in thousands of Jews having to be rounded up for jail, or requesting asylum (would look really bad on the internet). More likely they’ll increase the segregated units where Hareidim can serve as soldiers but with limited rights and opportunities, but without too much religious harassment, and perhaps with economic incentives for serving in the army. They’ll probably find a way to allow non-zionist yeshiva people to be conscientious objectors to avoid the embarassment of civil disobedience.
3. They can ignore smaller parties in terms of dishing out patronage which will hurt those Hareidim who rely on government funding (but note that the anti-zionist ones don’t accept government funding and won’t be affected)
4. Changing the election system may or may not hurt the frum community. If they switched to single member districts, it means that (as in America) only major parties could win, but they couldn’t risk insulting any major part of their constituency, so many of the ultra-hilonim would be friendly (similar to the Jewish Democrats in New York who hate Torah in private, but are all so nice in public). You would end up with fewer frum members of parliament, buy radically fewer anti-religious ones.
The article implies there would be some negative outcome to stripping the Chareidi parties of their ” political clout”? What nareshkeit. Removing the ability of a small number of zealots to dictate national policy would be one of the best possible outcomes for EY and the future viability of the medinah.