Netanyahu Criticizes Draft Evasion Arrests Amid Political Firestorm
Translated & summarized from Channel 13 by baba
Dozens of Haredi draft evaders were detained at Ben Gurion Airport, leading Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to criticize the arrests as "unacceptable" and express a desire to pass a draft law. The IDF confirmed enforcement of the Security Service Law. Opposition leaders Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, and Avigdor Lieberman strongly condemned Netanyahu's remarks, accusing him of making political deals regarding Haredi conscription ahead of elections.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Dozens of Haredi draft evaders were detained at Ben Gurion Airport, with their passports confiscated.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the arrests "unacceptable" and vowed to pass a draft law.
- The IDF stated it enforces the Security Service Law and will judge draft evaders accordingly.
- Opposition leaders accused Netanyahu of making political deals for Haredi votes regarding military conscription.
- Former PM Naftali Bennett claimed Netanyahu's actions would dismantle the IDF and legitimize mass evasion.
- Avigdor Lieberman vowed to draft everyone in the next government without exemptions.
Dozens of Haredi draft evaders, students from a Chabad yeshiva returning from a year of study in New York, were detained at Ben Gurion Airport on Tuesday. Their passports were confiscated, and they are reportedly facing an extension of their detention.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in an interview with Kol Barama radio, stated that the arrests were "unacceptable" and emphasized the importance of preserving the world of Torah study, which he believes has preserved the Jewish people. He suggested these arrests were a deliberate attempt to undermine the process of voluntary Haredi enlistment. Netanyahu added that while he respects Torah scholars, those not studying should enlist, expressing a desire to pass a draft law before the government is formed.
The IDF Spokesperson's Unit confirmed that the Military Police regularly enforce the Security Service Law at all border crossings in coordination with relevant authorities. The individuals detained were identified as subject to enlistment and would be judged accordingly. The IDF stated it would continue to enforce the law equitably and ensure service obligations are met.
Political reactions were swift and sharp. Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the "Yashar" party, accused Netanyahu of promising a draft evasion law as a condition for forming a government, framing the upcoming election as a choice between Netanyahu's "evasion government" and his own "Zionist enlistment government."
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, chairman of the "Achad" party, called the situation the exposure of a "Bibi-Der'i deal" for power, asserting that Netanyahu's promise to legislate a draft exemption law before forming the next government would dismantle the IDF and harm the future of soldiers and reservists. He claimed this would grant official state approval for the mass evasion of 120,000 healthy Haredi youths and called for votes to support a "revolution of the enlisted."
Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, criticized Netanyahu for being a "hostage" to draft evaders, stating that everyone in Israel is equal before the law. He vowed that in the next government, all would be drafted without exemptions or special arrangements.
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