Netanyahu Says One Vote Short Prevented Draft Law, Criticizes Yeshiva Student Arrests
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the government lacked one vote to pass a Haredi draft law and condemned arrests of yeshiva students. Over 25 Chabad students were detained at Ben Gurion Airport for draft evasion. Opposition leaders, including Yair Lapid and Avigdor Lieberman, criticized Netanyahu, alleging a political deal for draft exemptions. Gadi Eisenkot also attacked Netanyahu's stance, contrasting it with his own call for universal enlistment.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Netanyahu stated his government was one vote short of passing the Haredi draft law.
- Netanyahu criticized the arrest of yeshiva students, calling it an attempt to disrupt voluntary enlistment.
- Over 25 Chabad students were detained at Ben Gurion Airport for draft evasion.
- Opposition leaders accused Netanyahu of a political deal involving draft exemptions for Haredi support.
- Yair Lapid claimed the draft law would harm security and increase VAT, promising funds for soldiers instead.
- Gadi Eisenkot presented the election as a choice between a draft evasion government and his enlistment government.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed in an interview with the ultra-Orthodox radio station Kol Barama that the current government was just one vote short of passing the conscription law for Haredi men. He also strongly criticized the recent arrests of yeshiva students, calling them a "deliberate attempt to harm the process of drafting Haredim without coercion." Netanyahu affirmed his commitment to advancing the legislation.
Concurrently, over 25 Chabad yeshiva students returning to Israel were detained at Ben Gurion Airport after being identified as draft dodgers. The Prime Minister defended the importance of Torah study, stating it has preserved the Jewish people throughout history. However, he clarified that those not engaged in study should enlist.
Netanyahu also addressed the possibility of Haredi parties supporting Gadi Eisenkot for prime minister, expressing disbelief and hoping such a phenomenon would be marginal. He emphasized the shared heritage and common destiny between the religious and traditional sectors of the public, warning against dire alternatives.
The Prime Minister's remarks drew sharp criticism from opposition figures. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett accused Netanyahu of a "Bibi-Der'i deal" of draft evasion for political power. Avigdor Lieberman echoed this sentiment, calling Netanyahu a hostage to draft dodgers. Yair Lapid alleged a "disgusting deal" with ultra-Orthodox leaders, claiming the proposed law would harm national security and increase VAT to 22%, promising to redirect funds to soldiers instead. Gadi Eisenkot also criticized Netanyahu, framing the upcoming election as a choice between Netanyahu's "draft evasion government" and his own "Zionist enlistment government."
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