[96875] The draft crisis threatens the unity of the coalition and the Zalka family's cry at the Knesset committee
[96875] The draft crisis threatens the unity of the coalition and the Zalka family's cry at the Knesset committee
Political storm surrounding the draft law against the backdrop of threats to dissolve the government, alongside sharp criticism of the failure to address youth violence.
Political tension surrounding the draft law
The political system is in an uproar following heavy pressure exerted by the Haredi parties on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to a report by the Daniel Amram without censorship channel, the leaders of the Haredi parties, Gafni and Deri, have issued an ultimatum to Netanyahu: if the draft law regulating the status of yeshiva students is not passed this week, they will support the dissolution of the Knesset next week. In response to their demand, Netanyahu committed to working to advance the legislation as quickly as possible.
Against this backdrop, sharp criticism is also emerging from within the Likud. Knesset member Dan Illouz attacked the move and stated that "a few more days in power are not worth the spit in the face of the serving public". Illouz called on the government to learn to say "no" to the Haredi parties in order to maintain national-liberal principles.
Meanwhile, the distress within the Haredi public is growing. Activists claim that the recruitment problem has harmed the matchmaking world and the ability of families to visit relatives abroad due to the fear of arresting deserters at airports. A kollel wife was quoted expressing anger at the situation: "My husband is afraid that we will travel for Shabbat and they will arrest him".
The Zalka family's cry against violence
In parallel with the political drama, a jarring discussion was held at the Knesset committee on the issue of youth violence, following the murder of the late Yamno Zalka on Independence Day. In a broadcast by the Knesset Channel 99, the family members attacked the enforcement and judicial system. Yeros Zalka, the sister of the deceased, cried out to the Knesset members: "At what stage were they minors? When they threatened to murder? What murdered Yamno – only the knife, or the reality that allowed teenagers to walk around armed?".
In the discussion, harsh criticism was leveled at the State Attorney's Office and the police, with MK Pnina Tamano-Shata expressing shock at the functioning of the municipal policing in the incident. MK Limor Son Har-Melech emphasized that the fight against rising violence must include an active approach to the influence of social networks on youth.