Netanyahu Backs Ultra-Orthodox Draft Dodgers Ahead of Election
Translated & summarized from Jüdische Allgemeine by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced support for ultra-Orthodox Jewish draft dodgers arrested at Tel Aviv Airport, calling their detention "unacceptable." The arrests involved 40 Torah students attempting to evade military service ahead of the October 27th election. Netanyahu's coalition government relies on ultra-Orthodox parties who demand draft exemptions for religious students. The issue of military conscription for the ultra-Orthodox has long been a divisive political topic.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supports ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers arrested at Tel Aviv Airport.
- Forty Torah students were arrested attempting to evade military conscription.
- Netanyahu's coalition government depends on ultra-Orthodox parties for a majority.
- Ultra-Orthodox parties demand draft exemptions for religious students.
- The issue of military service for the ultra-Orthodox has been a long-standing political dispute.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly supported ultra-Orthodox Jewish draft dodgers, just one week before the general election. Speaking to a religious radio station on Tuesday, Netanyahu stated, "We must preserve the world of Torah, because it has preserved us." He described the arrest of 40 Torah students attempting to evade military conscription as "unacceptable," asserting that the judicial system's actions were a deliberate attempt to undermine a voluntary recruitment process. The arrests occurred last Friday at Tel Aviv Airport as the men were returning from the United States. Military police announced that the individuals would face trial. Those who agree to military service will reportedly receive a suspended sentence and begin their service immediately, while those who continue to evade conscription face military prison. The issue of military exemption for ultra-Orthodox Jews has been a contentious point for successive Israeli governments for years. Recent polls indicate that Netanyahu's Likud party will need the support of strictly religious Jewish parties to form a coalition after the October 27th election. These parties have conditioned their participation on securing a draft exemption for religious students.
