Bennett Critiques Likud's Handling of Haredi Conscription Bill

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has publicly criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party for its failure to oppose a controversial bill that exempts ultra-Orthodox (haredi) yeshiva students from military service. Bennett's remarks highlight a perceived neglect of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reservists, who he argues are being abandoned due to a lack of political support within the coalition.

The Jerusalem PostTimes of Israel

The Israeli government is advancing legislation aimed at conscripting haredi individuals into the IDF, a move that has sparked significant debate. Critics assert that the bill is primarily a political maneuver designed to appease the haredi parties within Netanyahu's coalition, rather than a genuine effort to enforce military service among this demographic. The IDF has expressed concerns regarding manpower shortages, particularly in light of ongoing military engagements.

The Jerusalem Post

Naftali Bennett, a former prime minister and leader of the right-wing political party Yamina, has emerged as a vocal opponent of the current government's approach to military conscription. He has directed his criticism specifically at Likud lawmakers, suggesting that their recent actions demonstrate a capacity to defy coalition discipline when it suits their interests. Bennett's comments come in the wake of a vote in which Likud members rejected a proposal to increase the VAT exemption ceiling on personal imports, indicating their ability to act against the coalition when necessary.

The Jerusalem Post

Bennett stated, “The reservists are being neglected because they have no lobby in Likud. The shame of neglecting IDF soldiers will be etched on the foreheads of all coalition members.” He emphasized that if Likud MKs genuinely cared about the soldiers, they would have opposed the draft-evasion law and taken steps to recruit healthy young haredi men to serve in the military.

Times of Israel

Opposition to the haredi conscription bill is not limited to Bennett. Various critics argue that the legislation will not effectively enforce conscription and is merely a political tool to maintain the support of haredi parties within the coalition. This perspective raises questions about the government's commitment to addressing the IDF's manpower issues.

The Jerusalem Post

There is a discrepancy in the perception of the bill's implications. While Bennett and other critics assert that the legislation is ineffective and politically motivated, supporters within the government argue that it represents a necessary step toward integrating haredi individuals into national service. The debate continues as the bill approaches its second and third readings in the Knesset.

The Jerusalem Post

• “Last night we discovered that when something is really important to Likud MKs, they are capable of violating the ‘sacred’ coalition discipline,” — Naftali Bennett, Former Prime Minister

Times of Israel

• “If they cared about our soldiers, they would have done exactly the same thing against the draft evasion law and long ago recruited healthy young Haredi men to replace our reservists who are collapsing under the burden.” — Naftali Bennett, Former Prime Minister

Times of Israel

This ongoing conflict over the haredi conscription bill underscores the complexities of coalition politics in Israel and the challenges of balancing diverse interests within the government.

The Jerusalem Post