Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin announced on Wednesday that if need be, he will convene a special Knesset session during summer recess for the purpose of passing a new Tal Law addressing the chareidi draft. He made his comments in his address to the closing session of the plenum as the legislators break for the summer recess, to return after the Tishrei yomim tovim.

The speaker addressed pressing issues; topped perhaps by the drafting of chareidim, aware the current Tal Law expires at the end of July and on August 1, 2012, the chareidim 18-years-old and over will become eligible for draft as there will be no law providing their legal exemption from service.

The speaker explained there are simply pressing issues and they do not permit the luxury of time, including the state budget for 2013.

He added the cabinet simply did not succeed in efforts to present a new Tal Law before adjourning so therefore, a special session may be called.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)