Netanyahu Reaches Deal With Haredi Parties as Israel Moves Toward October Election

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief

(Worthy News) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reached an agreement with Israel’s ultra-Orthodox parties to advance key Haredi-backed legislation before the Knesset dissolves, clearing the way for a likely national election on October 20.

The deal followed a meeting between Netanyahu, Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, and United Torah Judaism lawmaker Moshe Gafni. Under the agreement, the Haredi parties appear to have dropped their demand to pass the daycare subsidy bill in the current Knesset.

In exchange, they are expected to receive movement on Basic Law: Torah Study, legislation preventing the arrest of ultra-Orthodox draft evaders, and a kashrut bill.

Shas and Degel HaTorah said Netanyahu committed to advancing the measures immediately by convening the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee and the Knesset House Committee this week.

The parties warned that if they do not see practical action, they will support dissolving the Knesset as early as next week.

“The election will be held on the date Netanyahu wants if we receive what was agreed,” Degel HaTorah officials said. “If they give, they’ll get. If they don’t give, they won’t get.”

The Knesset is still expected to dissolve by July 17, leaving lawmakers only a narrow window to approve legislation before the pre-election recess begins around July 16.

The dispute over ultra-Orthodox enlistment remains one of Israel’s most sensitive political battles, especially as the country continues to face heavy military demands. Supporters of the Haredi position say Torah study is essential to Israel’s spiritual heritage, while critics argue broad draft exemptions place an unfair burden on soldiers and reservists.

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