Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel announced her resignation from the government and her position shortly after voting in the Knesset plenum against the law freezing the arrests of deserters. In doing so, she fulfilled her commitment to resign from the government if the legislation is advanced and approved.
Haskel’s resignation comes after a long period in which she expressed strong opposition to moves intended to make it easier for yeshiva students with regard to the issue of conscription. In an interview she gave last week, she attacked the legislation being formed, calling it “election bribery,” and made it clear that if the laws are approved, she will consider resigning from the government.
During the vote in the plenum, Haskel chose to vote against the law, contrary to the coalition’s position, and shortly thereafter announced her resignation from her position as Deputy Foreign Minister and from the government. Despite resigning from the government, Haskel is not resigning from the Knesset and will continue to serve as a member of Knesset. As is known, Sharren Haskel serves as a member of Knesset and minister on behalf of Gideon Sa’ar’s party, which opposed the government and Netanyahu, but during the term he reversed course and joined the government.