Ultra-Orthodox Election Rally Features Anti-Draft Chants
Translated & summarized from Kan News by baba
Chants against military conscription were heard at an election rally for the ultra-Orthodox party Yahadut HaTorah in Netivot, sparking widespread political condemnation. Leaders from across the political spectrum criticized the chants and the government's approach to military service. The incident highlights the ongoing debate over Haredi enlistment, with over 110,000 individuals, mostly Haredi, currently evading service. Politicians vowed to pass new enlistment laws and cut benefits for draft dodgers in the upcoming government.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Ultra-Orthodox election rally in Netivot featured chants against military conscription.
- Political leaders across the spectrum condemned the anti-draft chants and Haredi draft evasion.
- Over 110,000 individuals, predominantly Haredi, are currently evading IDF service.
- Politicians vowed to pass new enlistment laws and revoke benefits for draft dodgers.
- Over 40 Haredi draft evaders were arrested upon returning from New York.
Chants against military conscription were heard at an election rally for the ultra-Orthodox party Yahadut HaTorah in Netivot, according to footage published by Kan News. Participants, including party chairman Yaakov Asher, sang "In the rule of the infidels we do not believe, and in their offices we do not stand." The incident drew sharp criticism from various political leaders.
Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yisrael party, called the footage "outrageous" and "the closing image of Netanyahu's evasion government." He stated that the upcoming election is about choosing between Netanyahu's "evasion government" and his "Zionist enlistment government," vowing to pass a "real enlistment law" to strengthen the IDF.
Naftali Bennett, chairman of the Together party, condemned the chants, calling the participants "explicitly against the State of Israel, against the IDF." He expressed no expectations from leaders like Asher, Deri, or Goldknopf, and stated he has no expectations from Netanyahu and Smotrich either, calling them "their slaves." Bennett promised a "servant revolution" in the next government, cutting funds to draft dodgers.
Yair Golan, chairman of the Democrats, attacked the "anti-Zionist draft dodgers," asserting they do not believe in Israel as a Jewish and democratic state or in the IDF. He pledged that the Democrats would lead an "equal and uncompromising enlistment law" in the next government.
Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, called for an end to the era of Netanyahu and the "rule of the Haredim," promising to revoke all benefits for draft dodgers after the election, stating "no army service means no pension."
Yoaz Hendel, chairman of the Reservists party, argued that those who sing such chants should not be part of Israel's government, advocating for a "Zionist government without the Haredi and Arab parties."
The report also noted that over 40 Haredi draft evaders were arrested upon returning from New York, and that 110,000 individuals, 80% of whom are Haredi, are evading IDF service.
Mentioned
