Opposition Leaders Reject Haredi Coalition Compromise Amid Draft Debate

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett and opposition leader Yair Lapid issued statements rejecting any compromise with the ultra-Orthodox parties Shas and United Torah Judaism on conscription and coalition participation. Their remarks followed a broadcast clip of Democrats chairman Yair Golan appearing to signal willingness to sit with Haredi parties, a stance he later denied.

Times of Israel

Israel’s current coalition includes Likud, Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir. The opposition bloc—Democrats (Golan), Yesh Atid (Lapid) and the “Together” slate of Bennett—seeks a new government. Shas and United Torah Judaism have long secured broad draft exemptions. Former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot, now Yashar chairman, met Degel HaTorah chair Moshe Gafni and backs a limited exemption for up to three percent of top yeshiva students, similar to exemptions for elite athletes.

Times of Israel

Bennett warned that Israel faces “an existential moment” and pledged that his government will allow “no compromises on draft issues.” Lapid called compromises with Haredim “a political mistake and a moral error,” urging enlistment of young Haredi men, core-curriculum studies and labor-market integration. Golan later said the Haredi parties “have disqualified themselves” and will be “outside” the next government, rejecting draft-evasion tolerance. Eisenkot reiterated “service for all, even at the cost of additional elections” while supporting a modest 3 % exemption for yeshiva students.

Times of IsraelTimes of Israel

Yisrael Beytenu MK Oded Forer demanded that any coalition partner “commit: enlistment for everyone, no exemptions.” Avigdor Liberman’s faction also condemned leniency toward draft evasion. Golan’s earlier clip, in which he said he would vote for a government that included Haredi parties if Likud, Smotrich and Ben Gvir were absent, drew criticism from these allies.

Times of Israel

Golan’s record shows contradictory statements: an undated clip suggested openness to Haredi participation, while later X posts declared the parties “outside” the government. The timing of the original remarks is unclear, and sources give no estimate of how many Haredi individuals would enlist under the proposed reforms.

Times of Israel

• “All the talk about ‘compromises with the Haredim’ is a political mistake and a moral error.” — Yair Lapid, Opposition Leader

Times of Israel

• “Israel is at an existential moment” — Naftali Bennett, Former Prime Minister

Times of Israel

• “Absolutely not. I can tell you that if now the possibility of forming a government is contingent on an Haredi party joining, I will vote in favor, provided that Likud, Smotrich, and Ben Gvir are not there,” — Yair Golan, Democrats Chairman

Times of Israel

• “ “You cannot encourage draft evasion during a time of war.” — Yair Golan, Democrats Chairman (X post)

Times of Israel

Israel’s parliamentary elections are slated for later this year, and coalition talks will intensify as parties position themselves on the Haredi draft issue. The opposition’s firm stance against any Haredi compromise could shape the composition of the next government and influence forthcoming legislation on conscription exemptions.

Times of Israel