Netanyahu Decries Haredi Draft Arrests, Vows New Law

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the arrests of yeshiva students evading military conscription are unacceptable. Speaking in an interview with Kol Barama radio on Tuesday, as reported by Israel National News, Netanyahu pledged to advance a new law for the conscription of ultra-Orthodox men during the next term. He acknowledged significant dissatisfaction among the Haredi community, stating, "I understand that this has caused much disappointment and pain." Netanyahu revealed that a previous attempt to pass a conscription law failed by a single vote, expressing confidence that a new law could be passed in the upcoming term to "settle the relationship between the Haredi and secular people for generations." He emphasized the importance of Torah study for preserving the Jewish people but added, "whoever does not study must go to the army." Netanyahu also addressed concerns about potential cooperation between Haredi parties and centrist or left-wing factions, expressing hope that such alliances would be insignificant. When asked about his political future and the possibility of a plea deal in his ongoing corruption trials, Netanyahu stated he intends to run for office and that a plea deal is "not an option and never was."

In response, Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar Party, criticized Netanyahu's pre-election promise to Haredi parties regarding a conscription exemption bill as a condition for forming a government, declaring, "I will not allow this."