With coalition talks slowly progressing, Netanyahu allies begin legislative blitz

Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu and his ultra-orthodox and far-right allies advanced four separate legislations in Knesset, some of which are tailored to accommodate incoming ministers. 

The first legislation which passed the first vote was aimed at allowing Shas party leader Arieh Dery to serve as a minister in the next government, despite being convicted of tax offences earlier this year, causing him to resign Knesset. Dery is expected to be named Interior and Health Minister.

The bill was criticised widely by the outgoing government with Justice Minister Gideon Sa’ar calling it a “clearly a personal legislation, which looks less like a constitutional change and much more like a robbery in broad daylight.”

The second bill will see incoming National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir expand his responsibilities so that the Police Commissioner is subordinate to him.

Former Police Commissioner Roni Alsheich slammed the move, saying “Had this been implemented (during my term) I would have resigned. I wouldn’t have agreed to be a commissioner for a political figure. I know the bill’s wording, and the danger is very simple. I can guarantee that the outcome will be the opposite.”

The third bill will allow far-right leader and incoming Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich to control the Civil Administration of the West Bank, currently under the jurisdiction of the Defence Ministry.

The last bill will make it more difficult for Knesset members to break away from their parties, increasing it from four to seven.

As the bills were passed the preliminary votes, Netanyahu continued coalition negotiations with party leaders. According to Channel 12, Likud agreed with ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism that the upcoming state budget will only be passed if a new law granting yeshiva students exemptions from military service is passed at the same time.

Israel’s High Court of Justice has previously ruled that the current status-quo agreement, which for decades has allowed yeshiva students exemptions from military service, perpetuates inequality between secular and religious youth in Israel.

Another report by Channel 12 last week suggested that United Torah Judaism demanded a series of far-reaching religious laws to be applied to society as a whole, including gender separated beaches and shutting down electricity on Sabbath.

The report sparked fierce reactions from outgoing ministers. Both Finance Minister Avigdor Liberman and Transportation Minister Merav Michaeli said Netanyahu had “sold out the country,” while Prime Minister Yair Lapid called said Netanyahu is “leading us toward a halachic state. He’s selling our democracy for his personal interests.”

Netanyahu, however, vowed to uphold the religious status quo in Israel, saying “There is and will be electricity on Shabbat, there are and will be bathing beaches for everyone.”

Netanyahu has until 21 December to finalise his coalition talks, after receiving an extension from President Isaac Herzog last week.