Netanyahu Advances Sweeping Laws to Secure Coalition Loyalty Before Election
Sandego.net – A tumultuous atmosphere filled the Israeli parliament as lawmakers prepared to rush through a series of contentious measures during the government’s final days. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was met with a wave of boos from opposition members. Dozens of critics shouted, “Shame, leave, go!” The commotion proved so intense that the Prime Minister chose to leave the chamber, missing the actual voting process entirely. Despite his absence, the legislative push continued without interruption. The Knesset moved quickly to pass these bills before dissolving on Friday, setting the stage for an election on October 27.
Analysts suggest that a cluster of these rapidly finalized bills were primarily crafted to meet the demands of Netanyahu’s ultra-Orthodox and far-right coalition partners. At its heart, this legislative blitz aims to preserve the Prime Minister’s political bloc. Following nearly four years of significant turbulence—characterized by widespread protests, the devastating October 7 attacks, and a prolonged multi-front conflict—the government has reached a historic milestone. It is now the first Israeli administration to complete a full term in office since 1988. This achievement is particularly notable for Netanyahu, who holds the record as the country’s longest-serving prime minister yet had never previously finished a complete term.
Strategic Moves for Political Survival
This durability has been built on a consistent strategy of keeping coalition partners content. The current end-of-term push extends that logic into the final stretch. Political analyst Nadav Eyal highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting that “Netanyahu is fighting for his political survival, and the Haredi parties are essential to it.” Eyal further explained that the objective is “showing his Haredi partners that he is the only politician who will deliver for them.”
One of the most politically sensitive components of the package involves legislation that codifies the mass evasion of military service by ultra-Orthodox, or Haredi, youth. Although Israeli law mandates service for all eighteen-year-olds, Haredi men have historically been exempted under arrangements that the Supreme Court has frequently overturned. The situation intensified during the ongoing war, with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reporting a shortage of at least 12,000 soldiers. Simultaneously, an estimated 72,000 eligible Haredi men remain unenlisted, forcing conscript and reserve troops to carry a heavier load.
To navigate fierce public resistance to a broad exemption, Netanyahu introduced a workaround designed to appease his Haredi allies. A new law enshrines Torah study as a foundational state value within a Basic Law. Critics contend this move establishes a constitutional basis for exemptions to withstand future Supreme Court scrutiny. Additionally, a second bill provides temporary immunity for tens of thousands of Haredi draft evaders until late January 2027.
Military Concerns and Broader Reforms
Before the vote, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir issued a rare public statement regarding the legislation. He described the measures as “inconceivable” and “inconsistent” with the army’s operational needs. Zamir cautioned that the laws could diminish trust among those currently serving. Netanyahu’s allies responded sharply to the warning. Several Likud lawmakers called for Zamir’s dismissal, while Aryeh Deri, the chairman of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, accused the general of “dabbling in politics.”
Although the bill passed,
