The day began, Wednesday, 19 Adar I 5774, with announcements that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has decided, instructing the Shaked Committee how to move ahead regarding sanctions. The question regarding financial or criminal sanctions has been put to rest, as Mr. Netanyahu stated the compromise formula of criminal sanctions will accompany the law. Officials in the PMO’s deny reports, stating there has been no interference in the committee’s operations by Mr. Netanyahu.

That is to say that if a talmid yeshiva fails to comply with the draft there will be a six month hiatus period. During that period, if the government determines it has fulfilled its chareidi draft quota for that year, the talmid will be left alone. If however additional chareidim are required to meet the draft quota, he will face imprisonment. Committee member Minister (Yesh Atid) Yaakov Peri expressed approval of the committee’s decision, adding it is in line with the recommendations of his committee, which preceded the Shaked Committee. He was however displeased with the decision regarding hesder yeshivot.

MKs Ariel Atias (Shas) and Meir Porush (Yahadut Hatorah) on Wednesday morning boycotted the meeting amid the news. Later in the morning they announced they are resigning from the Shaked Committee, explaining they can no longer be a part of the process.

Interestingly, Yesh Atid MK Ofir Shelach and MK (The Movement) Elazar Stern also began the day planning to boycott the meeting. They stated there will be no compromise and without criminal sanctions, the government coalition will fall.

Stern however is not a happy camper, for he insists hesder talmidim must serve a minimum of 24 months. The committee has approved a one-month extension in hesder service, from 16 to 17 months.

Reports from those in the know signal that despite the official resignation by the two chareidi MKs, talks between chareidi parties and the Prime Minister’s Office are continuing behind the scenes.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)