(VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

The new draft law was removed from the Knesset agenda on Wednesday, 13 Adar despite the insistence of MK Yisrael Eichler and the chareidi parties earlier in the week, with Eichler warning the bill must be voted upon in its preliminary reading or the chareidi parties will not vote for the state budget.

Following the meeting last week of the Agudas Yisrael Moetzas Gedolei Yisrael, it was decided to link support for the state budget to the passing of a new draft law.

The new law cites Torah as being the supreme value and therefore, those committed to full time Torah study have in essence, fulfilled their national obligations, as reported by YWN-ISRAEL.

However, early Wednesday morning it became clear the bill would not pass in its preliminary reading, so it was pulled from the agenda. The chareidim became aware that despite coalition agreements, Yisrael Beitenu and Kulanu were opposed, and not of Likud would back the bill either. Hence the decision to pull it rather than suffer a defeat in the plenum.

However, there is also an awareness that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu may be compelled to step down due to police probes against him. Should this occur, elections would be called and the chances of establishing such a chareidi-friendly coalition again are not favorable. Therefore, the chareidi parties are desperately trying to pass a new draft law in the current Knesset session.

In the accompanying video where hear members of Yahadut Hatorah discussing the draft law during a faction meeting on Monday, 11 Adar. MK Uri Maklev is heard speaking as are MKs Yaakov Asher and Yahadut Hatorah faction chairman.

MK Moshe Gafne is heard in the beginning, addressing the status of the draft law.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)