Ben-Gvir Blames Haredi Parties for Failure on Draft, Budgets

Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir published an open letter to Haredi party leaders on Thursday, responding to criticism directed at him over the arrest of yeshiva students. Ben-Gvir denied having any influence over the arrests and criticized the conduct of Haredi representatives during the past Knesset term. The letter followed a call from United Torah Judaism Chairman Yaakov Asher, who urged Ben-Gvir not to facilitate increased arrests of Torah scholars during the election period, accusing the Attorney General of politically misusing the police. Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef had directly blamed Ben-Gvir for the arrests, stating, "He is responsible for the arrest of yeshiva students, not Gali Baharav-Miara." Ben-Gvir rejected these claims, asserting that the criticism was a political maneuver to divert attention from the Haredi parties' failures. He argued that these representatives had not resolved the conscription issue or addressed budget cuts, daycare subsidies, and other public needs.

"I understand there are elections and great anger against you in the Haredi sector, perhaps justifiably," Ben-Gvir wrote. "I understand you need to find a scapegoat, to shift the discourse from the fact that for four years you did not care for the Haredi sector, which today stands broken, no draft arrangement, no budgets, no daycares, no affordable housing, no travel abroad, and only arrests. I truly understand everything, but Itamar Ben-Gvir is not to blame that for four years you focused on positions and appointments instead of caring for the real problems of the dear public that sent you to the Knesset."

Ben-Gvir also accused the Haredi parties of opposing the dismissal of the Attorney General at the beginning of the term. "At the start of the term, I demanded the dismissal of the Attorney General, while you, the representatives of the Haredi parties, opposed it. You explained that you 'know how to steal horses with her,' thinking you were smarter, and kept her close to get her approval for appointments important to you. And now, with your great wisdom, we have all reached this unfortunate situation, in which you have a significant part."

Ben-Gvir detailed actions he claims to have taken for the Haredi public, including advocating for equal treatment of Haredi protesters, discontinuing the use of skunk water, and expanding eligibility for gun licenses in Haredi neighborhoods. He also criticized Haredi representatives for allegedly boycotting a vote on MK Limor Son Har Melech's bill for separate studies, which he said would allow for academic studies, including postgraduate degrees, for seminary students.

Addressing the election campaign, Ben-Gvir claimed senior figures from Haredi parties had recently contacted him to coordinate campaign activities, asking him not to target their voters but to focus on undecided Haredi voters and those considering parties below the electoral threshold to save the right-wing bloc. "And I agreed, because I am not going after you. So this is your thanks?!" he asked. Ben-Gvir concluded by urging the party leaders to focus on public needs and respect their constituents, stating, "When you see the immense love for me in the Haredi street, it's only because I truly respect and love every Jew. You should try it too, it works."