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


Edelstein to haredim: Now is not time to topple government

Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chair Yuli Edelstein called on haredi politicians to exhibit “national responsibility.”

 Committee Chairman Yuli Edelstein leads a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on May 8, 2025.

With backs to the wall on IDF draft, Haredi MKs slam Edelstein, A-G

Edelstein has yet to present the text of a new law proposal based on agreements reached with haredi representatives on June 12, the eve of Israel’s attack against Iran.

 Committee Chairman Yuli Edelstein leads a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on March 10, 2025.

Haredi parties ramp up pressure after Edelstein IDF draft bill delayed

The boycott marked an uptick in the haredi parties’ pressure campaign, as they had previously refrained from boycotting the plenum on Monday.

 Committee Chairman Yuli Edelstein leads a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on May 8, 2025.

Haredi rabbi calls Likud MK Yuli Edelstein 'traitor' over draft law

'There’s someone in Likud who is a traitor to Israel and a scheming saboteur because he wants to rule and become prime minister,' says Butbul.

Likud MK Yuli Edelstein attends a a plenum session in the Knesset, in Jerusalem, June 4, 2025

Text of Haredi draft law expected in Knesset committee within days

The text is expected to reflect agreements reached between Edelstein and representatives of the Knesset’s haredi parties on June 12.

 Committee Chairman Yuli Edelstein leads a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on May 8, 2025.

Jewish religious leaders' unsettling words disregard Israel's foundational narratives - opinion

We must be exceptionally delicate in our speech, careful to uphold moral integrity, and even more so, to avoid clouding or distorting our historical narratives.

 Jewish yeshiva students study at the Atert Shlomo Yeshiva, in Rishon Lezion, June 11, 2025

With focus on Iran, has the haredi coalition threat dropped? - analysis

Approximately 24 hours after the Knesset dispersal bill fell, Israel struck Iran. Both Edelstein and Shas MK Aryeh Deri knew about the timing of the attack in advance.

 Committee Chairman Yuli Edelstein leads a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on March 24, 2025.

Opposition's Knesset dispersal bill fails after Edelstein, haredim reach draft bill agreement

When the opposition called for the vote, Deputy Minister Yaakov Tesler and MK Moshe Roth of Agudat Yisrael voted in favor of dissolving the Knesset.

 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen outside his office at the Knesset, Israel's parliament in Jerusalem on June 11, 2025.

Knesset dispersal vote uncertain as haredim, Edelstein hold late meeting

The negotiations were held in a series of meetings in the Knesset, and involved, intermittently, representatives of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

 Committee Chairman Yuli Edelstein leads a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on March 24, 2025.

Three steps ahead: How Edelstein outmaneuvered everyone and is positioned to save Israel - opinion

Perhaps, right now, we are witnessing the redemption of the man who was shot in the first act but storms back in the final act with a submachine gun, to save what’s left of Israel.

 Committee Chairman Yuli Edelstein leads a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on March 10, 2025.