Mar 8 • 14:06 UTC 🇮🇱 Israel Haaretz

Degel HaTorah and Shas Expected to Support Budget Even Without Conscription Exemption Law Due to War

The Haredi parties are expected to back the state budget for 2026 without linking it to a conscription exemption law, a decision driven by the current war situation in Israel.

The Haredi parties, specifically Degel HaTorah and Shas, are poised to support Israel's 2026 state budget, sidestepping the usual conditions about a conscription exemption law. This decision is notably influenced by the ongoing war, which has created a dire situation that the Haredi leadership feels necessitates collaboration. Sources from Degel HaTorah have indicated that party leaders have directed their Knesset members toward this course of action, emphasizing a pragmatic approach amidst pressing national circumstances.

Support for the budget by Degel HaTorah is anticipated to also sway Shas into backing the proposal, despite pushback from Agudat Yisrael members. There are some divides within Agudat Yisrael, as leaders signal resistance to the budget approval. Notably, figures such as Meir Porush have yet to clarify their positions in the ongoing discussions, hinting at possible dissent among different factions within the Haredi block. The dynamics are complex as a budget that was already approved in the first reading now faces a critical deadline for further approval, which must occur by month-end for the government to continue functioning.

The urgency expressed by Haredi sources reflects an unprecedented seriousness in the leadership's stance, particularly as many Yeshiva students have become draft dodgers since the expiration of the previous exemption law. This situation also underscores a broader societal debate within Israel regarding military service and the obligations of different community sectors. The interactions and negotiations surrounding the budget expose the fragile nature of political alliances during times of national crisis, as both economic stability and social obligations come under scrutiny.

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