In what could mark the end of the long-standing right-wing bloc, HaGaon HaRav Dov Landau instructed the MKs of Degel HaTorah to work toward dissolving the Knesset immediately.

During a dramatic gathering of the party’s lawmakers on Tuesday, HaRav Landau issued what participants described as an unequivocal directive: move as quickly as possible toward dissolving the government. The decision signals a potential collapse of the long-standing political alliance between the Chareidi parties and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, threatening the coalition’s survival in the near term.

According to participants at the meeting, HaRav Landau told party representatives that from now on, the only consideration would be “what is good for Chareidi Judaism” without any obligation to past political alliances. In especially sharp remarks, HaRav Landau reportedly declared that “the concept of the bloc no longer exists,” undermining the political stability of Likud and opening the door to new political alignments in Israeli politics.

“We no longer trust Netanyahu,” the Rosh Yeshiva reportedly said. “From now on, we will do only what is good for Chareidi Judaism and the yeshiva world. The Knesset must be dissolved as soon as possible. The concept of the ‘bloc’ no longer exists for us.”

HaRav Landau also sent a written letter to Degel HaTorah lawmakers stating: “You fulfilled your mission faithfully above and beyond. We no longer trust the prime minister and no longer feel we are his partners. We are not committed to him. From now on, we will do only what we believe is good for Chareidi Judaism, and in our view, elections should be held as soon as possible. All talk of a ‘bloc’ no longer exists.”

The ruling from HaRav Landau dramatically reshaped the political crisis. In recent hours, Netanyahu had still been trying to persuade Chareidi leaders not to rush toward dissolving the Knesset.

According to reports, Netanyahu sent a message from the courtroom to Chareidi party leaders: “Don’t rush to dissolve the Knesset. It is still possible to pass the draft law if we act to reduce the number of rebels within the coalition.”

Alongside Netanyahu, Boaz Bismuth also held talks with Chareidi lawmakers in an effort to prevent the government’s collapse.

Practically speaking, a vote on dissolving the Knesset is now expected next week. A dissolution bill submitted by Yesh Atid has already been formally placed before the Knesset and is expected to come up for a preliminary vote on May 20, according to journalist Amit Segal.

If the bill passes its preliminary reading, it will move to the House Committee, which will determine the next legislative steps and set an election timetable.

At this stage, the likelihood of elections in September has risen significantly, although Netanyahu could still prolong the legislative process for some time if he chooses.

In recent months, efforts to pass the draft law repeatedly failed, despite Netanyahu’s promises to Chareidi party leaders that a final version of the legislation would be submitted to them. Continued delays ultimately stalled the process entirely.

Earlier on Tuesday, Chareidi outlets reported that a major rupture has erupted between Degel HaTorah and Netanyahu over the Chareidi draft law, with the prime minister reportedly refusing to advance the law, saying that he lacks a majority to pass it.

UTJ chairman Moshe Gafni is reportedly refusing to even speak with Netanyahu, and senior party figures are now considering an immediate move to dissolve the Knesset.

Senior Degel HaTorah officials are admitting behind closed doors that “it’s final — there will be no draft law during this Knesset term,” while accusing Netanyahu of stalling the issue.

“Netanyahu is dragging us along with excuses that there is no majority for the legislation,” senior party officials said in closed conversations. “The prime minister keeps evading his repeated promises to regulate the status of yeshiva students, and every time presents the same excuse — the lack of a parliamentary majority.”

Shas made clear that all moves are being coordinated together with Degel HaTorah. “We led this entire law together with Degel, and now this is a joint demand — either a law or early elections, and it appears we are heading toward early elections,” a senior party official said.

Kikar H’Shabbat reported that MK Yitzchak Goldknopf said yesterday in an interview that: “We received promises, signatures, promises from here to America — with America. And unfortunately, we are now entering the final summer session and still remain without a draft law.”

According to Goldknopf, Netanyahu said at the start of the Knesset session that he had two main missions: “One was eliminating Iran’s nuclear program, and the second was the draft law. Iran advanced, the draft law went backward.”

Goldknopf stressed the political implications: “The situation is bad, and we have nothing to bring back to our voters. Without the law, we have nothing to return to our electorate with.”

Meanwhile, Netanyahu and his aides attempted on Monday to arrange a meeting with Gafni. According to information obtained by B’Chadrei Chareidim, Gafni avoided holding the meeting throughout the day.

Later in the evening, MK Uri Maklev was summoned to a meeting with the prime minister, during which Netanyahu clarified that this is not the right time to advance the draft law and that the issue should only be resolved after the elections.

As previously reported last week by B’Chadrei, Netanyahu spoke with senior figures in the Chareidi parties and asked them to remove the draft law from the agenda and delay its advancement until after the elections.

Netanyahu reportedly argued that “there is no majority in the Knesset plenum to pass the law ahead of elections,” and, in light of the security situation, added that “this should not be on the agenda right now.”

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)