Netanyahu Distances Himself From Haredi Draft Law Amid Coalition Backlash

Israeli opposition lawmakers have accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of political spin after he sought to distance himself from a contentious law shielding ultra-Orthodox men from military conscription, following its advancement in the Knesset.

What the law does

The legislation, which limits the arrest of ultra-Orthodox draft evaders, was passed with support from Netanyahu's coalition partners, including ultra-Orthodox lawmakers Yitzchak Goldknopf, Moshe Gafni and Meir Porush. Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Defence Minister Israel Katz were both present for the vote.

• Law restricts arrests of ultra-Orthodox men who evade compulsory military service
• Passed with backing from Haredi coalition partners
• Opposition says Netanyahu is publicly distancing himself while privately endorsing the measure

Coalition tensions

Opposition leaders argued that Netanyahu's public remarks suggesting reservations about the law amounted to an attempt to avoid political fallout while still relying on Haredi parties to sustain his governing majority. The draft exemption issue has long been one of the most divisive in Israeli politics, pitting secular and religious-Zionist voters against ultra-Orthodox communities.

The issue has gained renewed urgency amid an extended military mobilisation linked to the region's ongoing conflicts, with critics arguing that broad exemptions for Haredi men place a disproportionate burden on other segments of Israeli society.

Government officials said further amendments could be considered, but coalition sources indicated the core exemption framework was unlikely to be significantly altered given the political weight of Haredi parties within Netanyahu's governing bloc.