Bennett Unveils Plan to Fund Military Service, Slams Netanyahu

Naftali Bennett, chairman of the Bayit Yehudi party, presented his party's central plan, dubbed the "Servicemembers' Revolution," at an election rally Sunday. The core of the proposal involves a drastic shift in national priorities, advocating for a complete halt of public funds to those who do not serve in the military, redirecting these funds to benefit those who do serve through extensive benefits. Key proposed benefits include entirely free daycare for reservists, a 50% discount on various payments, and a NIS 1 million subsidy for purchasing a home.

Bennett stated that the budget for this initiative would come from approximately NIS 30 billion currently allocated to populations not bearing the burden of service, which would instead be transferred directly to servicemembers. He sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and leaders of Haredi factions, warning of the security implications of current policies.

"Voting for Netanyahu and Der'i, who promise another four years of draft evasion funded by the state, is a vote that guarantees the next disaster," Bennett declared. "For 17 years, Netanyahu has been funding draft evasion in exchange for power. Netanyahu is dismantling the IDF, and he knows it. The Chief of Staff has raised 10 red flags for him. Hamas is strengthening on the borders, and the IDF is crying out for reinforcements; it is short 20,000 soldiers."

Bennett questioned who would provide the necessary reinforcements for soldiers if the current leadership continues to pay people to avoid enlistment. "As long as Netanyahu, Der'i, Smotrich, and the Haredi faction leader pay people not to enlist, who exactly will give our soldiers the reinforcements they need? We will take 30 billion shekels from the evaders and transfer them to the servicemembers. This is the Servicemembers' Revolution: whoever does not serve the country will not receive a shekel from the country."