Heritage Minister Eliyahu Sparks Controversy Over Draft Stance

Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu has ignited controversy with remarks made during an election panel at a Tel Aviv school on Tuesday. Eliyahu, a member of the Otzma Yehudit party, stated his reluctance to draft individuals who participated in protests against the government into combat roles. "I don't want to draft someone from Kaplan [Street protests], have him join the combat corps, and then he won't get up to charge," he said, implying a lack of commitment from such individuals.

Eliyahu also discussed his vision for the education system, expressing a desire to reform it so that students would be more dedicated. "I want to change the education system so that people will give their spirit and their soul," he remarked.

The minister, running fourth on the Otzma Yehudit slate, has a history of making provocative statements. During the ongoing conflict, he previously suggested that "all of Gaza will be Jewish" and did not rule out the possibility of using nuclear weapons against the Strip, comments that drew criticism for potentially harming Israel's public diplomacy efforts.