Israeli Government Suspends Haredi Draft Bill Amid War Efforts

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced on Tuesday that the government will temporarily suspend efforts to advance a controversial bill exempting ultra-Orthodox Jews (haredim) from military service. This decision comes as the government prepares to approve a significant increase in the defense budget due to the ongoing Operation Roaring Lion. Netanyahu emphasized the necessity of allocating substantial financial resources for defense, stating, “War costs money, a lot of money, and therefore we need to allocate a special budget during the war period.” The government is expected to vote on allocating over NIS 5 billion toward the 2026 state budget, which includes funds for defense and haredi institutions.

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The suspension of the haredi draft bill is part of a broader strategy to unify the government during wartime. Smotrich noted that “war is a time for unity and national responsibility,” indicating that contentious reforms would be set aside to focus on the war effort. The decision to prioritize defense funding over legislative reforms reflects the urgent need for additional manpower in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), particularly as the country faces a multi-front war.

The Jerusalem Post

Opposition leaders have criticized the government's decision, accusing it of political maneuvering during a time of crisis. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett condemned the government for allegedly “stealing from the public like thieves in the night,” arguing that funds should be directed toward supporting reservists and enhancing security rather than appeasing draft evaders. Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman echoed this sentiment, labeling the budget as “the most political budget in the history of the state.” Democratic Party leader Yair Golan also criticized the government, claiming that the allocation of funds is not benefiting those who serve in the military but rather supporting draft evaders and settlements.

The Jerusalem Post

In their joint statement, Netanyahu and Smotrich highlighted the need for a special budget to support the military during the war. Smotrich remarked that the government would set aside the draft law and other reforms that lacked broad consensus. The urgency of the situation was underscored by former IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot, who argued that the government is perpetuating draft evasion during wartime. Eisenkot stated, “If the members of this detached Israeli government were living the reality unfolding in the country... they would be dealing... with transferring a budget to strengthen the communities of the North and providing additional support for those serving and their families.”

The Jerusalem Post

While the government has announced the suspension of the haredi draft bill, critics argue that this move is a political tactic rather than a genuine effort to address the manpower crisis in the IDF. There is also a discrepancy in how the budget allocations are perceived, with opposition leaders claiming that funds are being misallocated during a time of war, while the government maintains that the budget is essential for national security.

The Jerusalem Post

The state budget must pass its final readings in the Knesset by the end of March, or the Knesset will automatically dissolve, triggering new elections. The ongoing war against Iran complicates this already high-stakes process, as the government seeks to balance military needs with political pressures.

The Jerusalem Post