Yuli Edelstein

‘Reaching the finish line’: Controversial haredi draft bill advances for Knesset committee vote

The controversial haredi conscription bill has moved one step closer to a vote in the Knesset after significant progress in the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

Protests against haredi draft in Jerusalem, October 30, 2025.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet seen at the Knesset plenum, June 11, 2025

Outcome of state budget vote uncertain amid coalition crisis over haredi draft

A PLENUM session at the Knesset.

Post-October 7, coalition more concerned with controlling the systems than addressing recovery

Ultra-Orthodox Jews carry a banner in Hebrew that reads, “to prison and not the army,” during a “million man” protest against military conscription, in Jerusalem October 30, 2025.

Netanyahu cancels statement on haredi draft bill as opposition slams legislation


Bismuth elected FADC head, ousting Edelstein over haredi draft bill

Edelstein, prior to the vote, published for the first time the draft of the conscription law, which was sent to committee members. 

MK Boaz Bismuth attends a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem July 8, 2025

Israel moves to fire Attorney-General Baharav-Miara, igniting legal, political storm

The decision will require judicial review and thus not take effect immediately.

Israeli attorney general Gali Baharav Miara attends a Constitution, Law and Justice Committee leads a committee meeting in the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem, on April 27, 2025.

The king has no God: Netanyahu lost the right to rule in his lust for power - opinion

MIDDLE ISRAEL: Bibi Netanyahu has not slain any of his people, let alone a whole town. He has, however, lost the ability to distinguish between good and bad, just and unjust, or even friend and foe.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference, in Jerusalem, May 21, 2025.

The ousting of Yuli Edelstein: Israeli politics reaches a new low - opinion

The vote by Likud lawmakers is problematic from political, democratic, and ideological perspectives.

MK YULI EDELSTEIN attends a meeting of the Knesset plenum last week. Though his record of upholding the rule of law is far from perfect, he nevertheless has a reputation as a serious and experienced politician, the writer maintains.

Coalition weakens as Religious Zionist Party falls below electoral threshold, survey finds

Amid MK Yuli Edelstein's removal and ongoing stagnation in Gaza, a new poll shows Netanyahu's coalition losing four seats, while the opposition, led by Naftali Bennett, gains significant ground.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Defense Minister Israel Katz and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir attend a discussion at the plenum in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem, July 23, 2025.

Likud seeks inquiry into foreign funding of Israeli protests

The move comes days after Likud issued a statement citing what it called “astonishing revelations” contained in an official document recently published by the US Congress.

Israelis protest against Benjamin Netanyhahu's government in Jerusalem, March 23, 2025

'Enlistment=Genocide': Haredi protesters assault police in Jerusalem, block city entrance

Hundreds of protestors blocked the roads near Chords Bridge with signs saying "Death before conscription," and "War on the draft law."

HAREDI DEMONSTRATORS protest in Jerusalem on July 23, 2025.

'A stab in the back to IDF troops': Opposition decries Bismuth appt

Bismuth's designation as the new chairman for the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee sparked a heated reaction from the opposition, who called it a "back stab to the IDF troops and reservists".

MK Boaz Bismuth leads National Security committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament on March 10, 2025.

Likud MKs jostle for Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairmanship

With at least six MKs aiming for the position of FADC chairman, including Yuli Edelstein, who's aiming to keep the position, the vote pitted MKs in the party against each other.

 Benjamin Netanyahu and Yuli Edelstein seen at the Knesset on November 4, 2021

Why Likud booting Edelstein will come back to bite it? - analysis

While Edelstein has given no indication of his next political move and has remained loyal to the Likud, it is not inconceivable that he seeks a new political home.

 Committee Chairman Yuli Edelstein leads a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on February 12, 2023.