Israel’s national unity government formed by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Kadima chairman Shaul Mofaz in May could break up as early as Wednesday if a solution is not found to their dispute over how to equalize the burden of military service. For ultra-Orthodox Jews and Arabs.
Yohanan Plesner, a member of the Knesset from Kadima, who heads the Keshev Committee – tasked with finding a replacement for the “Tal Law” – intends to publish recommendations he promised would be historic on Wednesday, despite Netanyahu announcing that the committee has been dismantled.
Deputy Prime Minister Mofaz backed up Plesner and issued a threat to leave Netanyahu’s coalition.
On Monday, Netanyahu announced that he has dissolved the Plesner committee.
"To my regret, the Plesner Committee did not succeed in reaching agreed-upon outlines due to the withdrawal of several of its members, and it cannot formulate a recommendation that would achieve a Knesset majority," Netanyahu said in a statement.
"For all intents and purposes, the committee has been disbanded.
"This week I will invite the heads of the coalition parties to try and formulate a proposal that would receive a Knesset majority," he said.
In February, the Supreme Court ruled that the so-called Tal Law, passed in 2002, was unconstitutional and would be void as of August 1.
Military service is compulsory for Israelis over the age of 18, with men serving three years and women two. Ultra-Orthodox Jews and Arab Israelis are excluded. The issue caused considerable splits in the ruling coalition government, with ultra-Orthodox parties opposed to conscription and the Yisrael Beitenu party of Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman supporting the law.

EJP