A high-stakes meeting is underway between Prime Minister Netanyahu, Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, and Degel HaTorah chairman Moshe Gafni as the Chareidi parties threaten to bring down the government unless key legislation is advanced immediately.

According to reports, Deri and Gafni are demanding the immediate promotion of the Basic Law on Torah Study and legislation aimed at halting the arrests of yeshiva students.

The meeting comes after the two Chareidi leaders boycotted Monday’s scheduled coalition leaders’ meeting, prompting its cancellation.

The central issue, according to reports, is whether Netanyahu can secure enough support within the coalition to pass the legislation.

Last week, Netanyahu reportedly assured Deri that both bills would pass their second and third Knesset readings during the current session and pledged to personally secure the necessary majority. However, continued delays have fueled growing frustration among the Chareidi parties.

If Netanyahu acknowledges that he cannot deliver the votes, Deri and Gafni are expected to demand the immediate dissolution of the Knesset, potentially sending Israel to new elections.

The Chareidi parties have also warned they will refuse to support any coalition legislation until the draft-related bills are advanced, a move that could effectively paralyze the coalition’s legislative agenda.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)