Netanyahu Clarifies Stance on Haredi Draft, Citing Jail for Draft Dodgers
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clarified that Haredi men not engaged in Torah study must enlist in the IDF, and those who refuse will be jailed. This statement followed criticism from opposition leaders who accused Netanyahu of encouraging draft evasion after he spoke out against the recent arrests of Haredi draft dodgers. Netanyahu's Likud party defended his position, calling the opposition's claims "fake news." The controversy highlights ongoing tensions surrounding Haredi conscription in Israel.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that Haredi men not studying Torah must enlist, with refusers facing jail.
- Netanyahu's remarks followed criticism from opposition leaders accusing him of encouraging draft evasion.
- The Likud party dismissed the opposition's claims as "fake news" and affirmed Netanyahu's support for Haredi enlistment.
- Netanyahu had previously criticized recent arrests of Haredi draft dodgers, calling for non-coercive enlistment.
- Opposition figures Yair Lapid, Naftali Bennett, and Avigdor Lieberman accused Netanyahu of a political deal for Haredi support.
- The controversy centers on the sensitive issue of military conscription for the Haredi community in Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a strong clarification regarding the military conscription of Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) men, stating that those who do not study Torah will be drafted and those who refuse will face jail time. This statement comes after opposition leaders accused Netanyahu of encouraging draft evasion following his remarks on the recent arrests of Haredi yeshiva students who had not enlisted.
The Likud party released a statement asserting that Netanyahu "has always said, and said it directly to the Haredi public in an interview: Haredim must enlist. He who does not study Torah will go to the army, and he who says 'we will die rather than enlist' will go to jail." The party dismissed the opposition's claims as "fake news."
Netanyahu's original comments, made on Kol Barama radio, expressed disapproval of the arrests, emphasizing the need to preserve the world of Torah while also stating, "I deeply respect the world of Torah, but he who does not study should go enlist." He suggested the arrests were a deliberate attempt to undermine a non-coercive Haredi enlistment process.
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid accused Netanyahu of orchestrating a political deal with Haredi parties, trading draft evasion for their support in the government. Naftali Bennett, chairman of the Together party, echoed this sentiment, calling it an "official" deal for "evasion for rule." Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, criticized Netanyahu as being "hostage to the draft dodgers."
