Israeli Minister Compares Draft Enforcement on Haredim to Inquisition
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Minister of Culture and Sport Miki Zohar compared the enforcement against Haredi draft evaders to the Inquisition, stating his opposition to personal sanctions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also criticized the arrests of Haredi draft dodgers as "unacceptable." Both leaders, however, agreed that Haredi men not engaged in full-time Torah study should enlist in the IDF. The issue arises amid coalition negotiations and the Haredi parties' demand for exemption legislation.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Minister Miki Zohar compared Haredi draft enforcement to the Inquisition, opposing personal sanctions.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu called arrests of Haredi draft dodgers "unacceptable" but said non-students must enlist.
- Zohar stated that conscripting Haredi men without spiritual leadership consent will not succeed.
- Both Zohar and Netanyahu agreed that Haredi men not studying Torah should be drafted.
- Haredi parties are demanding exemption legislation before joining the government.
Israel's Minister of Culture and Sport, Miki Zohar, stated on Wednesday that he opposes the enforcement methods and personal sanctions being applied to Haredi men who are evading military conscription. Zohar compared the treatment of these individuals to the Inquisition during the period of the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492.
"I am always against personal harm to the Haredi public, because in my eyes it is a persecution of a Jewish public that studies Torah and believes its life should revolve around Torah study," Zohar said in an interview with Reshet Bet radio. He elaborated that the current actions remind him of difficult times of the Inquisition, "looking for Jews who study in order to kill them."
When questioned about his use of the term "Inquisition" and the fact that state authorities are enforcing the law, Zohar maintained his right to express his feelings. He argued that punishing Haredi men in a way that persecutes and hurts them is counterproductive, especially since he believes conscripting Haredi men without the consent of their spiritual leadership will not succeed.
However, Zohar also stipulated that those who do not dedicate their time to Torah study must enlist. "The future of the country will be in every Haredi youth who does not go to study Torah from morning till evening going to the army. Not allowing fictitious lists and not allowing evasion," he stated.
Zohar's remarks followed similar sentiments expressed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the previous day. In an interview with the Haredi radio station Kol Barama, Netanyahu called the arrests of Haredi draft dodgers "unacceptable." He emphasized the importance of preserving the world of Torah study, stating, "This world has preserved us." Netanyahu suggested these arrests are a deliberate attempt to harm the process of voluntary Haredi conscription, adding, "I greatly respect the world of Torah, but whoever does not study should go enlist."
Netanyahu did not rule out the condition set by Haredi parties for legislation exempting them from conscription before the government is sworn in, saying, "I wish we could do it. Whether we can before the government is established? Who knows? It depends on goodwill, it depends on understanding and cooperation. I know that many in the Haredi public understand that there must be a new burden sharing."
