Netanyahu's Coalition Silent on Ultra-Orthodox Anti-IDF Protest

A provocative procession in Jerusalem on Tuesday, September 29, saw radical ultra-Orthodox factions denouncing the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as an "enemy army" and celebrating draft dodgers. The event, which included honoring deserters as heroes, drew widespread condemnation from many Israelis, yet the Likud party and its coalition partners, Religious Zionism and Otzma Yehudit, remained conspicuously silent. This silence is attributed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party prioritizing its election campaign agenda, which currently focuses on topics like Netanyahu's visit to the Emirates, security threats, and potential military actions. The ultra-Orthodox protest, however, highlights a sensitive issue for Likud: the perception of "ultra-Orthodox blackmail" and Netanyahu's perceived capitulation to their demands, which could alienate right-wing voters.

Ofer Vinter, chairman of the Am Echad Yisrael party, was an exception, strongly condemning the procession. He stated that honoring deserters and calling the IDF an "enemy army" humiliates soldiers, especially reservists serving during holidays. Vinter criticized the alignment of these groups with the right-wing camp, asserting that their focus on Torah study and avoidance of military service contradicts the values of most right-wing voters. He vowed that this "disgrace" would end under a future government.

The Jerusalem event, held at the intersection of Bar-Ilan and Brandeis streets, saw police close surrounding roads. Deserters were greeted with enthusiasm and, after the procession, received envelopes containing 1,000 shekels each from Rabbi Yehuda Tzadka, head of the Porat Yosef yeshiva. Organizers claimed the funds came from overseas donors. Children attending were given gift bags with messages celebrating "prisoners of Torah" who were jailed for "preserving Judaism." Protestors carried signs, some in English, such as "Free the hostages from Prison No. 10, who will never serve in the enemy army."

Opposition leaders widely denounced the march. Gadi Eisenkot of the National Unity party framed the upcoming election as a choice between a government of draft evaders and a Zionist government ensuring conscription. Naftali Bennett criticized Netanyahu's government for allocating billions to ultra-Orthodox parties and promising more, calling draft evasion a security threat. Avigdor Lieberman of Yisrael Beiteinu questioned Netanyahu's alliances and demanded an investigation into the funding for the deserters, while Yair Golan of the Democrats condemned the anti-IDF sentiment and Netanyahu's support for these groups.