Rabbi Dov Landau, leading Haredi rabbi, calls for Knesset dissolution

Rabbi Dov Landau, a leading figure in the Lithuanian Haredi community, has instructed Knesset members from Degel HaTorah to support a bill to dissolve the Knesset. The dramatic move comes amid deepening tensions over the military draft law for yeshiva students.

The directive follows a failed meeting between MK Yuli Edelstein (Likud), chair of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, and representatives of the Haredi parties. Senior United Torah Judaism officials described the meeting as a “complete failure,” in contrast to Edelstein’s office, which claimed the meeting was conducted “in good spirits” and that further talks were expected.

Sources within Degel HaTorah confirmed that MK Moshe Gafni has been told to begin efforts to exit the coalition and advocate for its immediate dissolution. The party’s official newspaper, Yated Ne’eman, reported that haredi leaders remain committed to passing legislation that would formally exempt yeshiva students from military service.

The publication also underscored that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's credibility is on the line, framing the issue as a test of whether he will fulfill promises made to the Torah world.

Meanwhile, associates of Rabbi Meir Hirsch said he is also likely to instruct his political allies to quit the coalition, citing the lack of tangible progress on the draft exemption issue after receiving updates from Knesset members involved in the Edelstein meeting.

In a parallel development, opposition parties Yesh Atid and Yisrael Beyteinu announced plans to introduce a bill next week calling for the Knesset’s dissolution, a move that could gain momentum with haredi backing.