Knesset Legal Adviser Adv. Sagit Afik has expressed opposition to the emerging agreement between Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and the Chareidi parties over legislation aimed at preventing the arrests of bnei yeshiva in draft-related cases, according to a Channel 13 report.

The legislation is part of a broader package of bills Netanyahu discussed with Shas chairman Aryeh Deri and Degel HaTorah chairman Moshe Gafni. Afik reportedly said the move is problematic both substantively and procedurally, potentially complicating the coalition’s effort to advance it.

Following a meeting with Netanyahu, Deri and Gafni said they had issued a clear demand to immediately advance a Basic Law on Torah Study and a bill to stop the arrests of lomdei Torah. They warned that if practical steps are not taken, they could support dissolving the Knesset as early as next week.

As part of the broader understandings, Deri and Gafni were reportedly promised advancement of the Basic Law on Torah Study, the draft-arrest bill, and the cancellation of the kashrus reform in a first reading. In return, they were expected to support coalition legislation splitting the role of the Attorney General and establishing a non-state commission of inquiry.

Deri later backed away from the demand to legislate the cancellation of former Religious Services Minister Matan Kahana’s kashrus reform. Netanyahu is also expected to meet soon with Religious Zionism chairman Bezalel Smotrich to approve the plan with him.

Opposition figures sharply criticized the understandings. Yashar chairman Gadi Eisenkot accused Netanyahu of sacrificing national interests for political survival, while Opposition Leader Yair Lapid said Netanyahu was giving in to Chareidi demands at the expense of the public. Yisrael Beiteinu MK Oded Forer also blasted the move, saying Netanyahu was advancing legislation to stop draft-related arrests while IDF soldiers remain under threat.

After the criticism, Shas and Degel HaTorah issued a joint statement denying that there was any “deal” with Netanyahu. They said their demand to advance the Basic Law on Torah Study and the bill preventing arrests of lomdei Torah stands on its own, is not dependent on any other arrangement, and that if the bills are advanced in practice, they could return to supporting coalition legislation in accordance with the guidance of Gedolei Yisroel.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)