The controversial amended draft bill was presented to the Knesset Foreign Affairs & Defense Committee on Thursday, 7 Kislev as it moves ahead for a vote next week in Knesset. While there is much opposition to the bill, it is expected to pass since it is included in coalition agreements signed by the parties representing the 61-seat ruling coalition.

The long session began with chairman Tzachi Hanegbi explaining the committee is not accustomed to hearing shouting and this discussion will not be an exception. The discussion will last for hours and Hanegbi set the vote for Thursday night at 21:00.

A Defense Ministry official attending the session explained the current law passed in the previous Knesset resulted in a decline in the number of chareidim entering the military or an approved national service. This remark was met challenged by Yesh Atid party leader Yair Lapid, who was a driving force to push the chareidi bill into law.

The ministry representative added that inspections of yeshivos will be stepped up towards determining who is really learning as they should.

Harsh objections to the amended law were heard from a number of MKs participating in the session including Elazar Stern (Yesh Atid), Ofir Shelah (Yesh Atid), Yoav Kisch (Likud) and Eyal Ben-Reuven (Machane Tzioni).

Avi Dichter (Likud), a former ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet) director explained “this must be done peacefully, but with limits…” He added he trusts Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon’s method for getting the best results, the largest number of chareidi inductees.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)