Culture Minister Compares Treatment of Haredim to Inquisition

Culture and Sport Minister Miki Zohar sharply criticized the personal sanctions imposed on members of the Haredi community, comparing their treatment to the Spanish Inquisition and the expulsion of Jews from Spain. "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 depends on Torah study," Zohar stated in an interview with Kan Reshet Bet. He added, "I think this reminds me of the difficult days of the Inquisition that existed during the expulsion of Spanish Jews."

The incident, which saw some of the young men released and others handed over to military authorities, reignited public debate over the enforcement of conscription and the arrest of yeshiva students.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also addressed the issue, expressing his opposition to the arrest of yeshiva students. He argued that such actions undermine efforts to promote the integration and enlistment of Haredim into the IDF through dialogue rather than coercion. However, Netanyahu emphasized that those not engaged in Torah studies are obligated to enlist and expressed hope that a draft law could be passed before the formation of the next government or early in the new term.

Netanyahu's statements drew strong reactions from opposition leaders Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, and Avigdor Lieberman. They sharply criticized his stance on the arrest of draft evaders, accusing him of complete capitulation to the demands of Haredi parties at the expense of equal burden-sharing.