Hendel and Zehlikah Unveil New Draft Plan, Criticize Netanyahu
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Yoaz Hendel and Professor Yaron Zehlikah presented their party's new draft plan, making universal conscription a condition for joining the next government. The plan includes a 2,000 shekel salary increase for soldiers, benefits for reservists, and sanctions for draft dodgers. Hendel criticized Prime Minister Netanyahu's stance on draft evasion, while Zehlikah addressed funding and criticized past government promises.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Yoaz Hendel and Prof. Yaron Zehlikah demand universal conscription as a condition for joining the next government.
- The plan includes a 2,000 shekel salary increase for soldiers and benefits for reservists.
- Sanctions will be imposed on draft dodgers, and service will be a criterion for housing and tax benefits.
- Hendel stated they would not join a government that passes a draft evasion law.
- Zehlikah criticized past promises regarding reservist housing benefits and excluded separatist parties.
- The plan's funding is expected to come from the party's economic program.
Yoaz Hendel and Professor Yaron Zehlikah, leaders of the Reservists and Economics Party, presented their party's new draft plan on Tuesday, stating it would be a prerequisite for entering the next government. The plan mandates service for all citizens, increases soldiers' salaries by at least 2,000 shekels, offers extensive benefits to reservists, and imposes immediate sanctions on draft dodgers. Service would become a key criterion for housing, mortgage, property tax, and tax credit benefits, with reservists receiving priority in public tenders and state service appointments.
Hendel directly addressed Prime Minister Netanyahu's call for a draft evasion law, stating, "We are calling for universal conscription as a condition for forming a government. We will not agree to a government that stops the disintegration here into blue blood of draft dodgers and red blood of those who serve." Hendel also urged Bezalel Smotrich to "detach from the ultra-Orthodox alliance and join the Zionist effort."
Professor Zehlikah added that the plan would be funded by the party's economic program, which is expected to release tens of billions of shekels. He criticized Naftali Bennett, saying, "Whoever promises a million for an apartment for every reservist is lying to you, like in the Singapore plan." Zehlikah emphasized, "The ultra-Orthodox are our brothers, but parties that lead a line of separatism and draft evasion are not Zionist, and we will not sit with them."
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