Netanyahu Vows to Draft Haredim, Warns Opponents of Military Service

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a strong statement regarding the conscription of Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) men into the IDF, declaring his determination to draft them and warning those who resist. In a video released during an election campaign, Netanyahu stated, "I am dying to draft them (the Haredi public), and we will draft them." He differentiated between Torah scholars, whom he respects, and those who protest against conscription, saying, "Anyone who says 'we will die and not be drafted', you know where he is going? To the brig!"

Netanyahu also took pride in the establishment of the Haredi 'Hasmonean' brigade within the IDF, noting, "I established the Hasmonean brigade, they fight like great warriors." This comes amid significant political tension surrounding the status of yeshiva students and their exemption from military service.

Haredi parties have presented a firm stance, indicating that their support for Netanyahu's government is conditional on concrete actions regarding yeshiva students' status. They have stated that even if the right-wing bloc secures a majority of 61 Knesset seats, they will not join the government or support the state budget until the status of yeshiva students is settled and a conscription law, as they demand, is passed.

Yaakov Asher, chairman of the United Torah Judaism party, expressed a lack of trust in the current bloc and its leader, stating in an interview, "We have a trust problem and a problem with this bloc, with Likud and its leader. What will happen on the day after the elections? It's impossible to know, in any case, we are not automatically in anything!"