BICOM

Attorney Yaakov Weinroth, the de-facto Haredi representative on the Plesner committee drafting a new law for a more equal military and civic service in Israel, quit yesterday over the idea of sanctioning ultra-Orthodox who do not serve. After Yisrael Beiteinu and Habayit Hayehudi, who both quit the committee last week, Weinroth is the third member to withdraw.

Weinroth sent a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in which he stated that the committee acted irresponsibly in handling the sensitive issue of recruiting haredim into the IDF. According to Weinroth, “Forceful actions, even if they deliver results in the short-run, are destructive in the long-run. In my opinion, issuing personal sanctions will put an end to the process of integrating the haredi public and create disaffection that will thwart any effort to reach a solution,” he wrote.

Due to the dwindling composition of the committee, negotiations have now shifted from around the committee table to quiet behind-the-scenes talks. Yesterday, sources in Likud told Ynet that members from Kadima and Shas had held talks during the day in order to try to resolve their differences vis-à-vis the Tal Law. According to one of the sources, “the gaps regarding military service for haredim have diminished, however Kadima is still refusing to change their mind regarding Arab enlistment.”

Interior Minister Eli Yishai told Ynet that the sides did not reach an understanding over whether to issue personal sanctions against individuals who do not enlist into the IDF. “We never agreed and will never agree to it,” he said, adding that Shas won’t accept personal sanctions under any circumstances.

Officials in the Plesner Committee confirmed that the two parties met, but denied that any substantial breakthrough had been reached during the talks. “The prime minister will be the one to decide,” they said.

Meanwhile, Kadima Chairman Shaul Mofaz has been facing increasing pressure from party members who want him to present Netanyahu with an ultimatum: Either the new law includes personal sanctions on haredim unwilling to enlist, or Kadima will quit the coalition. Mofaz and Netanyahu have yet to set a time for a meeting, but the Kadima chairman cancelled his official trip to France and Britain, which was scheduled to take place mid-week, in order to personally oversee the developments surrounding the Plesner Committee recommendations.