A major political dispute erupted within Israel’s coalition Sunday night after Degel HaTorah reportedly informed Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu that it does not intend to move forward with the controversial draft law before the next elections.

The message deepens the ongoing crisis surrounding one of the most explosive issues facing both the government and the chareidi public.

Sources close to Netanyahu reacted angrily to the development, accusing Degel HaTorah of never having truly wanted a draft law agreement in the first place.

“From the beginning they did not want a draft law,” figures in Netanyahu’s circle charged, while also claiming that Degel HaTorah attempted to “shift the responsibility onto the prime minister.”

Senior Likud officials reportedly expressed frustration over the conduct of the chareidi party, insisting that repeated efforts had been made to reach mutually acceptable language for the legislation, but that parts of the chareidi leadership refused to cooperate.

Political observers believe the decision is tied in part to the position of Hagaon Rav Dov Landau, who reportedly is unwilling to approve the current version of the law — viewed by many in the chareidi world as especially harsh — without the full agreement and partnership of Hagaon Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch.

The standoff now threatens to further destabilize coalition negotiations over the highly sensitive issue of military conscription for bnei yeshiva.

{Matzav.com}