Spiritual leader of haredi faction signals support for early Knesset dissolution on draft bill

Rabbi Dov Lando, spiritual head of the ultra-Orthodox Degel HaTorah faction, approved efforts on Tuesday to dissolve the Knesset "as soon as possible" due to the haredi conscription legislation. This development raises the prospect of elections before the scheduled October date.

The faction announced that Rabbi Lando told its Knesset members, "We no longer trust [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu. From now on, we prioritize what benefits haredi Judaism and the yeshiva community."

The statement continued, "Immediate steps are needed to dissolve the Knesset. Discussions of a 'bloc' are over."

This followed reports that United Torah Judaism - the broader haredi party including Degel HaTorah - warned of instant dissolution after Netanyahu revealed no coalition majority exists for the contentious conscription bill, per Tuesday's KAN News.

The news sparked a rift between Degel HaTorah chair Moshe Gafni and the prime minister's office, with Gafni reportedly ignoring Netanyahu's calls.

Gafni's office offered no comment on the matter.

Opposition groups Yesh Atid, Yisrael Beytenu, and the Democrats voiced support for a dispersal bill next week.

Yesh Atid confirmed submitting the dissolution bill, set for the Knesset agenda next week.

Yisrael Beytenu backed it to prompt early elections and oust "the government behind the October 7 failures, the nation's worst."

During Monday's faction meeting, Lapid pushed for dissolution preparations as early as next week.

"After three and a half years of suffering, division, disasters, and governmental failure, avoid another summer of corruption and strife. Dissolve the Knesset next week," Lapid declared.

Tensions escalated as the Knesset launched its summer session Sunday post-recess, likely the coalition's final one before October polls.

In the prior winter session, haredi parties United Torah Judaism and Shas threatened budget opposition over the draft issue - potentially forcing elections - but held back.

Contentious ultra-Orthodox conscription legislation

The bill, progressing in the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, draws sharp criticism for mainly placating coalition haredi allies without boosting enlistment.

Some coalition members oppose its form and plan to vote no.

The IDF continues alerting to critical manpower deficits amid over two years of conflict.