Haredi parties continue coalition boycott over Torah Study bill

Haredi parties Shas and United Torah Judaism are continuing their boycott of coalition votes, halting legislation in the Knesset for another week. The ultra-Orthodox factions are demanding progress on a controversial Basic Law: Torah Study bill, which they see as crucial for exempting yeshiva students from military service and maintaining their state benefits.

Shas Party leader Arye Deri also cited the recent increase in police arrests of haredi draft evaders as a reason for the boycott. "The violent arrests of Torah learners must stop!" Deri declared. He informed the coalition chairman that his party would not support any coalition legislation until the bill to halt arrests and the Basic Law: Torah Study are advanced.

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The violent arrests of Torah learners must stop! We have informed the coalition chairman that, as long as the law to stop the arrests and the Basic Law: Torah Study are not advanced, we will not support any coalition legislation.

Degel Hatorah leader MK Moshe Gafni expressed frustration with unfulfilled promises, stating, "I am informing you unequivocally: I do not intend to humiliate myself once again. I have had enough of promises that were never fulfilled." Gafni was referring to past legislative efforts for haredi parties that failed to gain a majority.

In a separate development, lawmakers voted to transfer the Torah Study bill to the Knesset's House Committee for advancement, instead of the Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee. Reports suggest this move may be an attempt by the Religious Zionist party to distance itself from the contentious legislation. The House Committee is led by coalition whip MK Ofir Katz.

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I am informing you unequivocally: I do not intend to humiliate myself once again. I have had enough of promises that were never fulfilled.