As tension soars over issues surrounding the legislation of a Chareidi draft law, Channel 12 News reported on Thursday that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu attempted to speak by phone to HaGaon HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch but did not receive a response.

However, the report added that despite the cold shoulder, messages were passed through intermediaries indicating that efforts are still underway to formulate solutions that would prevent “political escalation.”

Earlier on Thursday, Kikar H’Shabbat reported that senior Degel HaTorah officials clarified that in accordance with the instructions of Gedolei HaTorah, they are continuing attempts to advance a draft law that will regulate the status of bnei yeshivos. The report comes after HaGaon HaRav Dov Landau declared on Wednesday evening that “not even one Ben Torah will join the army, whether the authorities agree or not.” In addition, HaGaon HaRav was quoted as saying that the Chareidi MKs will vote against the law in its current formulation.

“There is no instruction from Gedolei Yisrael to oppose the law currently being discussed,” the sources said. “On the contrary, they are the ones who instructed us to move forward in negotiations with the Knesset’s legal adviser in an attempt to reach a law that will be agreed upon and will withstand review by the Supreme Court.”

They added, “There are elements from other factions who are trying to do everything in order to stop the legislation. They are the ones briefing and speaking in the name of the Gedolei Yisrael despite having no connection to them and are trying to sabotage the passage of the law.”

Sources close to HaGaon HaRav Hirsch clarified on Wednesday evening: “Nothing has changed in the fundamental position that a draft law must be enacted and the status of bnei yeshivos must be regulated. The instruction to Degel HaTorah’s Knesset members is to continue working for the legislation.”

In addition, those close to HaGaon HaRav Landau said on Thursday morning:  “Efforts are continuing to reach a law that will stop the arrests of bnei yeshivos. This is the most urgent issue for the Rosh Yeshiva; the sanctions issue is secondary in importance.”

Meanwhile, senior figures in the Chareidi parties told Kikar HaShabbat, “Even though we are trying to show flexibility with the legal adviser and we agreed that the sanctions would take effect immediately, there are still disputes—primarily and especially regarding the question of oversight over lomdei Torah. It is impossible to know whether, at the end of the process, we will succeed in reaching a law that will pass its second and third readings (in the Knesset).”

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)