Current sectionIsrael NewsIsrael Political NewsNetanyahu has tried to persuade ultra-Orthodox officials in recent days that passing the draft exemption bill months before the election would be a mistake, given the governing coalition's weakness in the polls and opposition to the bill even from within LikudShare to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeNoa Shpigeland Aaron Rabinowitz08:23 PM • May 17 2026 IDTThe Knesset will resume discussion of a bill to exempt the ultra-Orthodox from army service this week, due to the ultra-Orthodox parties' threats to dissolve the Knesset.Loading...Click the alert icon to follow topics:Ultra-OrthodoxIDFKnessetIsraeli politicsIsraeli electionsCommentsLoading...In the NewsIn the News: Israel-Iran Live UpdatesHamasIsrael ElectionsLebanonNoam BettanSettler ViolenceHaQuizHaaretz PodcastHaredi Draft Exemption Talks to Renew After Parties Threaten to Dissolve KnessetOnly 7% Approved: Palestinian Construction Collapses in East JerusalemIsrael's Defense, Finance Ministries Spar Over Oct. 7 Terrorists Tribunal BudgetIsrael to Establish Defense Offices in Former UNRWA East Jerusalem CompoundIsrael and Hezbollah Trade Fire Across Border Despite Cease-fire ExtensionRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIThe Hasidic Jews Behind Florida's Giant Golden Trump StatueStarlink Users, Beware – Israeli Tech Can Reveal Your IdentityIt Wasn't Just Revenge That Israel Was After in GazaWelcome to the Most Shameful Day in the Jewish CalendarIsraeli Teens Storm Muslim Quarter in Old City, Haaretz Reporter AttackedIsrael Attacks New York Times for Report on Sexual Violence by Israeli Forces