Bennett Accuses Netanyahu of Leading Mass Draft Evasion, Threatening IDF Collapse

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of dismantling the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) through policies that encourage mass draft evasion, particularly among the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) community.

Speaking in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, Bennett stated that Netanyahu's government is leading the most severe danger to Israel: "mass evasion that will lead to the collapse of the IDF." He presented this as a strategic security warning, drawing a parallel to warnings Netanyahu allegedly ignored before the October 7th attacks. Bennett claimed that the IDF is facing a potential collapse, citing the Chief of Staff's reported concern over a shortage of 20,000 combat soldiers.

Bennett asserted that the lack of soldiers is already costing lives, with soldiers being killed and wounded by drones due to insufficient observation and sniper support. He also noted that prolonged operational cycles are wearing down soldiers, and that units are forced to abandon captured territory due to manpower shortages, necessitating costly recaptures.

Bennett highlighted the disparity between the Haredi community's stance, which he characterized as "we will die and not enlist," and the soldiers' plea: "we will die if you don't enlist." He warned that failure to enlist Haredi men in the upcoming term would lead to the IDF's collapse. Bennett vowed that his party would enlist everyone, cut funding to draft evaders, and strengthen the IDF, framing the upcoming elections around this issue.