Netanyahu has tried to persuade ultra-Orthodox officials in recent days that passing the draft exemption bill months before the election would be a mistake, given the governing coalition's weakness in the polls and opposition to the bill even from within Likud

Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem make up 40 perent of the city's population, yet the difficulties the state imposes on them in issuing building permits are pushing them away – all while the threat of demolition hangs over thousands of families in the city

A 500-million shekel gap has prevented the finalization of the plan to create a special military tribunal to try some 350 Hamas terrorists. According to a government source, some defense officials believe that the ministry would prefer that the tribunals take place in civilian courts