Former PM Bennett Warns of IDF Collapse Due to Draft Evasion

Former Israeli Prime Minister and leader of the "Achva" party, Naftali Bennett, delivered a speech at "Sukkot HaMefal" (the Booth of Failure) in Tel Aviv's Hostages Square. He addressed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent warnings of an impending military confrontation before the elections.

Bennett stated that Hostages Square symbolizes the "terrible failure" of the government preceding October 7th, which has yet to be investigated, and called for the immediate dismissal of all involved. He criticized Netanyahu's warnings about enemy attacks, questioning who would fight them if the IDF continues to be undermined by widespread draft evasion. "I am issuing a strategic security warning today. Amid all the warnings about the enemy, the IDF stands on the brink of collapse. We don't have enough soldiers to provide security," Bennett declared.

He elaborated that the IDF Chief of Staff has raised numerous red flags regarding a shortage of 20,000 combat soldiers, a situation he claims Netanyahu, along with ministers Deri and Smotrich, are ignoring while dismantling the army. Bennett asserted that this immediate shortage is already costing soldiers' lives, citing instances where soldiers are killed or wounded by drones due to a lack of observation and sniper personnel. He also noted that prolonged operational cycles are diminishing soldiers' readiness, forcing them to abandon captured positions, which then need to be retaken at a high cost.

Bennett warned that if Haredi men are not drafted in the upcoming term, the IDF will collapse. He accused Netanyahu and Deri of committing to the same path in the next government, framing a vote for their coalition as a vote against IDF soldiers and reservists. Bennett pledged that his movement would ensure everyone is drafted, cut funding for draft evaders, and strengthen the IDF, stating these issues are the core of the upcoming elections.