Israel's Netanyahu faces Haredi draft exemption stalemate

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s attempts to resolve the growing dispute over draft exemptions for Haredi yeshiva students have hit a fresh roadblock. A proposal to create a new Basic Law would treat full‑time Torah study as a contribution to the state on par with military service, granting yeshiva students the same legal and financial benefits as soldiers.

Members of the Degel HaTorah faction rejected a request to meet with Netanyahu, signalling deep frustration with the government’s approach. Netanyahu later held private talks with United Torah Judaism leaders Yitzchok Goldknopf and Motty Babchik, urging them to preserve the right‑wing coalition ahead of elections, while Degel HaTorah chairman Moshe Gafni was seen leaving an extended meeting with the prime minister. The stalemate highlights tensions between the coalition government and the Haredi parties over military conscription reforms.