Likud launched a last-minute effort Sunday to prevent Charedi parties from backing early elections, scheduling a key Knesset discussion on the Draft law just as lawmakers prepare to vote on dissolving the Knesset.

Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman Boaz Bismuth set a committee hearing on the draft law for Wednesday morning, the same time the Knesset is expected to hold a preliminary vote on a bill to dissolve itself. The move is meant to show Degel HaTorah, Shas and other Charedi lawmakers that the law is finally moving after months of coalition delays.

The draft law is one of the central issues threatening Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. It is meant to regulate the status of yeshiva bochurim after the Israeli Supreme Court struck down the previous exemption arrangement, leaving Charedi parties demanding new legislation to protect the yeshiva world.

Charedi parties have threatened to support dissolving the Knesset because the government has repeatedly failed to pass the law despite months of promises, leaving yeshiva bochurim without the legal protection the factions say is essential for remaining in the coalition.

But Charedi officials dismissed Likud’s move as too late, saying another committee discussion does not guarantee the law will pass. Several coalition lawmakers still oppose the bill, and Charedi factions view the hearing as an attempt to buy time and stop them from supporting early elections.

“The train has already left the station,” Charedi sources told Channel 14, accusing Likud of trying to create the appearance of progress only after the coalition reached the brink. Degel HaTorah sources also said they were tired of “empty actions meant to buy time and distract attention.”

Wednesday’s vote would not immediately bring down the government, but it would begin the formal process toward elections if it passes. Netanyahu is trying to delay that process and keep the coalition alive, but Charedi parties are warning that without a real draft law, the government may no longer have a future.