Full Breakdown
Shas Party Threatens to Block 2026 Budget Over Haredi Draft Exemption Bill
1/5/2026, 12:27:45 AM
Shas's Stance on the 2026 Budget
The ultra-Orthodox Shas party has declared it will not support the 2026 state budget unless the coalition passes a bill regulating Haredi conscription and exemptions. Shas party speaker Asher Medina emphasized that the support of Shas's 11 Knesset members is crucial for the budget to pass by the March 31 deadline, warning that failure to do so could lead to the dissolution of the Knesset and early elections. Medina stated, “From the perspective of the Haredi public, the draft law is as far-reaching as one could possibly imagine,” asserting that legislation is necessary to prevent arrests of draft evaders.
Legislative Context and Implications
The proposed legislation aims to maintain military service exemptions for full-time Haredi yeshiva students while purportedly increasing conscription among graduates of Haredi educational institutions. This comes after a 2024 High Court ruling deemed the longstanding blanket exemptions illegal, affecting approximately 80,000 ultra-Orthodox men aged 18 to 24 who are eligible for military service but have not enlisted. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has indicated an urgent need for 12,000 recruits amid ongoing military challenges.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has responded to Shas's threats by urging lawmakers to expedite the passage of the controversial bill, stating, “We need to accelerate the completion of the conscription law legislation — everything depends on it.” However, the bill has faced criticism from various quarters, including the Attorney General’s Office, IDF, and Finance Ministry, which argue that it will not significantly increase Haredi enlistment.
Criticism and Opposition
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid condemned remarks made by United Torah Judaism chairman Yitzhak Goldknopf, who compared sanctions on draft evaders to a "yellow star," a reference to the Holocaust. Lapid described Goldknopf's statement as “the dream of every antisemite.” Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also criticized Goldknopf, asserting that such rhetoric harms both IDF fighters and Torah scholars.
Additionally, Deputy Attorney General Gil Limon has accused the government of failing to comply with a High Court order to enforce sanctions against draft evaders, labeling the situation a “constitutional crisis.” The High Court had mandated the government to develop effective enforcement measures against ultra-Orthodox men who refuse to comply with conscription orders.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
While Shas and United Torah Judaism have publicly coordinated their positions, internal disagreements have surfaced regarding the proposed sanctions in the bill. Some factions within the ultra-Orthodox community, such as Agudat Yisrael, have expressed opposition to any measures that include punitive sanctions against draft evaders. This division complicates the coalition's efforts to unify support for the bill.
What's Next
As the March 31 deadline approaches, the fate of the 2026 budget and the Haredi draft exemption bill remains uncertain. The ongoing negotiations and potential for internal conflict within the coalition could lead to significant political ramifications, including the possibility of early elections if the budget fails to pass.
