Netanyahu decides to remove Edelstein from the chairmanship of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided on Monday to dismiss MK Yuli Edelstein from his position as chairman of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, following his opposition to a law exempting ultra-Orthodox citizens from military service.

A statement issued by the Likud faction in the Knesset read: "The head of the faction, MK Ofir Katz, has decided to accede to a request addressed to him to hold elections for the position of chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, in accordance with the faction's powers in the Likud constitution."

The statement added, "The elections will be held at the bloc's meeting on Wednesday (the day after tomorrow). Nominations may be submitted until 8:00 PM tomorrow, Tuesday."

The Likud MKs who have run for the position so far are: Hanoch Milevitsky, Nissim Vaturi, Boaz Bismuth, Amit Halevi, Moshe Saada, and Avichai Boaron.

Following disagreements over the conscription law and the ultra-Orthodox parties' demand for a law exempting ultra-Orthodox citizens from conscription, the ultra-Orthodox withdrew from the government, but did not withdraw from the coalition until Netanyahu decides on the matter.