GEDOLIM CAVE: No Draft Law Ultimatum Will Be Given To Netanyahu

 

The anti draft chareidi rabbonim have played their hand and realize that they will be in an even more perilous situation if and when elections are held. The “no compromise, no giyus for any chareidi” stand has not won them any allies, other than in Lakewood and Williamsburg, but their American allies don’t control the purse strings in Israel, and those strings are closing tightly. They might try some PR instead of throwing shade on the rest of Israeli society. Tone deaf doesn’t start to describe how non-chareidim in Israel view their proclamations against the “shmad army.”

For weeks, Gedolei Torah in Eretz Yisroel have been grappling with a critical decision—whether to issue an ultimatum demanding that Prime Minister Netanyahu pass a draft exemption law by Shavuos, or risk losing the support of the United Torah Judaism (UTJ) party in the coalition. The proposal, known as the “Pindrus Plan,” had gained traction among leading Roshei Yeshiva and Rebbes, with intense discussions behind the scenes.

However, a dramatic turn of events unfolded Sunday when HaGaon HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Rosh Yeshivas Slabodka and one of the preeminent leaders of the Torah world, indicated that UTJ would not be issuing an official ultimatum to Netanyahu. The revelation came after a rare English-language phone call between Netanyahu and Rav Hirsch earlier Sunday, a conversation that has sent shockwaves through the frum political landscape.

Netanyahu, fully aware that an ultimatum from UTJ could threaten his fragile coalition, has been working feverishly to neutralize the looming threat. Prior to his conversation with Rav Hirsch, Netanyahu had reached out to the Belzer Rebbe, who assured him that Belz and the Shlomei Emunim faction were not part of the ultimatum and had no intention of withdrawing from the coalition. This gave Netanyahu a crucial opening to pressure the remaining factions to reconsider their stance.

Netanyahu’s main concern is the three-month deadline proposed by the Litvishe Gedolim and UTJ leaders. He argued that such a short time frame was unrealistic for passing a comprehensive Draft Law and urged Torah leaders to extend the deadline beyond Tishrei to ensure a sustainable legislative process.

Following his direct intervention, Rav Hirsch relayed Netanyahu’s concerns to HaGaon HaRav Dov Landau, Rosh Yeshivas Slabodka and the leading authority of the Litvishe world. A subsequent meeting took take place between the Gerrer Rebbe and Rav Landau at the Slabodka Yeshiva in Bnei Brak on Sunday.

Rav Hirsch relayed Netanyahu’s plea to the assembled Gedolim, explaining the Prime Minister’s concerns. However, the Gedolim remained skeptical. They noted that no matter what deadline was set, Netanyahu would find excuses to delay.

After extensive deliberations, the Gedolim made a momentous decision: they will set a firm deadline for Netanyahu to pass the Draft Law by the end of the summer.

If the government fails to deliver by the set date, the Torah factions may withdraw their support for Netanyahu’s fragile coalition—a move that could potentially bring down the government.

At the same time, efforts are underway to build a unified front between the Ashkenazi and Sefardi Torah leadership. Messages from the Gedolim have been relayed to HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Yosef, the Rishon L’Tzion and other Sefardi Gedolim in an attempt to form a solidarity pact.