Netanyahu Threatens Jail for Haredi Draft Resisters
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unveiled a plan to draft 23,000 ultra-Orthodox men over three and a half years, making it a key election issue. He threatened jail for those who refuse enlistment outright and do not dedicate themselves to Torah study. Netanyahu also warned against vote splitting on the right, fearing it could lead to a left-wing government.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a plan to draft 23,000 ultra-Orthodox men over three and a half years.
- Netanyahu threatened jail for those who refuse to enlist and do not dedicate themselves to Torah study.
- The Prime Minister criticized rivals' proposals, stating they offered only 5,000 enlistments.
- He expressed confidence that more mandates would allow his government to pass the draft law.
- Netanyahu warned that vote splitting on the right could lead to a left-wing government.
- He labeled certain competing right-wing parties as 'fake right'.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a plan to draft 23,000 ultra-Orthodox men over three and a half years, framing the issue as central to the upcoming election campaign. In a Sunday interview with Benny Titalbaum on Kan Moreshet radio, Netanyahu presented the government's draft proposal and issued a stern warning to those who completely oppose military service.
"We have brought a law and I will pass it, on the enlistment of 23,000 Haredim in three and a half years. They brought 5,000, that was their proposal," Netanyahu stated, implicitly criticizing political rivals. He explained that his government had nearly succeeded in passing a similar law during its term but fell short by one mandate, expressing confidence that additional mandates would enable passage this time.
Netanyahu clarified the principles of the proposed draft law, distinguishing between those who dedicate their lives to Torah study and others. "Anyone who does not go to enlist, or anyone who says, 'I have respect for the world of Torah,' but does not study, must enlist," he asserted.
He then issued a harsh ultimatum to extremists on both sides or those inciting against conscription: "And whoever says, 'We will be drafted, or we will die and not be drafted,' should go to jail." The Prime Minister also warned against the fragmentation of votes within the right-wing bloc, criticizing competing parties that he claimed were drawing votes from Likud. He labeled these phenomena "fake right" and cautioned that voting for small parties that might fall below the electoral threshold would directly lead to the formation of a left-wing government supported by Arab parties.
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