Chareidi members of the Knesset launched a fierce public assault Wednesday against the Religious Zionist Party after the party refused to support legislation aimed at preserving daycare subsidies for yeshiva families affected by the Supreme Court’s ruling on draft exemptions.

Despite opposition from the Religious Zionist Party, the proposed law succeeded in passing its preliminary reading in the Knesset plenum.

Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich reportedly ignored repeated requests from Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu to back the measure, insisting that until the chareidi factions cooperate on military conscription legislation, his party would not assist them.

“The Religious Zionists are not participating,” Smotrich declared, according to the report, referencing the ongoing dispute surrounding a draft law.

In response to the backlash, the Religious Zionist Party issued a statement defending its position and accusing parts of the chareidi political bloc of undermining coalition unity while simultaneously resisting compromise on enlistment legislation.

“While some of the chareidi parties are politically flirting with the left-wing bloc and simultaneously opposing a serious conscription framework, you can’t demand the Religious Zionists to be the sucker on call,” a statement on behalf of the party read.

The party further argued that Israelis serving in the reserves and bearing the burden of the war effort would not tolerate a situation in which chareidi parties reject a conscription arrangement while still expecting financial benefits from the government.

Moshe Gafni, chairman of Degel Hatorah, fired back sharply at his coalition partners, accusing them of acting out of hostility toward the chareidi community.

“The hatred against the chareidi public drives them crazy and also hurts the working and weak public.”

Gafni escalated his criticism further, accusing the Religious Zionist Party of betraying the very coalition that helped strengthen its political standing.

“Their partners in their worldview in the Religious Zionist Party act with distortion and ingratitude. We gave them everything, with settlements, funding, and positions, and when it comes to issues that are important to the chareidi public, they turn their back and work against us. They lack integrity and values. We will take that into account from now on with anything concerning religious Zionists.”

Yitzchok Goldknopf also joined the attacks, targeting Smotrich directly over his failure to support the bill.

“Bezalel Smotrich’s absence from the vote on the daycare bill exposes his true face. When he tries to get votes from the chareidi sector, the public will remember that at the moment of truth, he couldn’t care less about chareidi families. As far as he’s concerned, the chareidi children are another tool in the political game to pass the electoral threshold.”

Meir Porush likewise condemned both the vote and the broader legal campaign surrounding the daycare subsidies.

“It’s shameful that opposition MKs, along with individuals from the coalition, chose to hurt little children. I call on the judicial system to stop this persecution of innocent children. United Torah Judaism will continue to fight with all means available to protect Torah students.”

{Matzav.com}