Shas Leader Deri Accuses IDF of Not Wanting Haredi Soldiers
Arie Deri, chairman of the Shas party and a Member of Knesset, stated in an interview with Kol Barama radio that the Israeli military does not desire Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) soldiers, claiming it causes the army a "very big headache." Deri asserted that the IDF prefers a secular army and is unwilling to accommodate soldiers who follow rabbinical guidance.
When asked if he would encourage Haredi youths not studying Torah to enlist, Deri responded that he did not need to. Instead, he directed criticism at the IDF, stating, "The army that knows how to bomb Iran also knows how to deal with this, let it deal with it." He further elaborated that the army's reluctance stems from a desire for a secular force, not one influenced by rabbis.
In response to Deri's remarks, Yisrael Beiteinu party leader Avigdor Lieberman accused Deri of becoming "number 1 encourager of draft evasion in Israel." Lieberman claimed Deri is acting against the enlistment of Haredim and against the IDF, adding that Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, the late spiritual leader of Shas, would be "turning in his grave" over Deri's actions.
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