On Sunday, leaders from the haredi parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism, visited draft evaders at Neve Tzedek Military Prison, expressing solidarity and advocating for their release amid a severe manpower shortage in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Shas leader Arye Deri announced plans to advance legislation that would establish Torah study as a Basic Law, a move criticized for potentially further encouraging draft exemptions for haredi men. The IDF has warned that without solutions to its manpower crisis, it could face collapse. The proposed legislation is expected to be discussed by the Ministerial Committee for Legislation soon, following a canceled meeting. This initiative is reportedly part of a broader agreement between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the haredi parties, which includes delaying elections to October 20 in exchange for advancing haredi legislative priorities. Opposition voices, including MK Dan Illouz, have condemned the proposed law, arguing it undermines military service and traditional Jewish values, while Democratic Party leader Yair Golan criticized Deri's support for draft evaders amid the burdens faced by reservists.