Shas Party Leader Derides IDF Chief Over Haredi Draft

Arie Deri, chairman of the Shas party, stated on Thursday that he does not need to call on Haredim who do not study Torah to enlist in the IDF, asserting that the army, capable of bombing Iran, should handle the issue itself. Deri made these remarks in an interview with Kol Barama radio, claiming the IDF does not want Haredi soldiers because they cause headaches and that the military prefers a secular army.

Deri's comments come amid his ongoing criticism of IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi, whom he previously accused in July of losing his mind and attempting to aid the left-wing bloc during elections. Deri alleged that Kochavi's actions were a dangerous precedent and caused significant damage to the army.

In July, the Knesset approved a bill in its first reading to freeze the arrest of Haredi draft dodgers, passing with a vote of 58 in favor and 54 against. Previously, in a July interview, Naftali Bennett, chairman of the Yamina party, stated that Deri would not be able to participate in a government led by him, adding that a draft dodger would not sit in the cabinet. Bennett also accused Deri of leading draft evasion and encouraging young Haredim, even those not studying Torah, not to enlist.