MK Yinon Azoulay Urges Flexibility to Prevent Violence Over Draft Arrests of Haredi Torah Students

During a Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee discussion on a temporary order proposal to freeze arrests of Torah students, MK Yinon Azoulay (Shas) sharply criticized legal advisors and called for flexibility given the sensitive situation. Azoulay warned against escalation, asking, "What do you want? Bloodshed? Murder in the streets?" He argued that the current policy of arresting draft-delinquent Haredi individuals is causing unnecessary tension and damaging social cohesion.

Azoulay highlighted the fear among Torah students who now feel unsafe walking the streets and must disguise themselves to avoid arrest. He also referenced input from those involved in integrating Haredim into the IDF, noting that the current arrests hinder recruitment efforts. He cited the CEO of Netzach Yehuda, who stated that the arrests harm the enlistment process.

Concluding, Azoulay emphasized that the proposal aims only for a temporary arrangement to halt arrests of Torah students, seeking to stop the "madness and hatred" and prevent a civil conflict within Israeli society.