Lieberman Open to Compromise on Haredi Draft Law, Cites 2018 Proposal
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Avigdor Lieberman has signaled openness to negotiating a draft law for Haredi men, using his 2018 proposal as a reference point. He distinguishes his willingness to compromise from accepting Haredi demands and rejects forming a government reliant on Arab parties. His 2018 plan and a 2025 proposal by Boaz Bismuth differ in sanctions and enlistment targets, with neither fully meeting current IDF needs. Lieberman's flexibility is seen as a political necessity to avoid a coalition dependent on Arab parties.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Avigdor Lieberman is open to compromise on the Haredi draft law, referencing his 2018 proposal.
- Lieberman rejects forming a government reliant on Arab parties, citing security concerns.
- His 2018 draft law and a 2025 proposal by Boaz Bismuth differ on sanctions and targets.
- Neither proposal is seen as fully meeting the IDF's current enlistment needs.
- Haredi sources suggest ongoing talks and greater trust in Lieberman than in negotiator Gadi Eisenkot.
Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, has stated his willingness to negotiate coalition agreements with Haredi parties but emphasized that this does not equate to accepting their demands regarding the draft law. He clarified that readiness for compromise does not mean abandoning principles, pushing back against critics he accused of spreading conspiracy theories and preferring a government reliant on Arab parties. Lieberman asserted that he would not support a government dependent on parties he believes identify with Hamas, as it would harm security and potentially return Benjamin Netanyahu to power.
Lieberman suggested that the current political reality necessitates difficult decisions to avoid further elections and end Netanyahu's era. While open to compromise, he reiterated his fundamental stance that a universal draft law is the correct model. He presented his 2018 draft law proposal, developed with the IDF and defense establishment, as a potential basis for agreement, acknowledging it would require adjustments post-October 7th. He stressed that negotiation does not mean compromising on red lines.
The article compares Lieberman's 2018 proposal with a 2025 draft law by Boaz Bismuth, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. Both proposals aim for a gradual increase in Haredi enlistment while allowing many yeshiva students to defer service or receive exemptions. Key differences lie in the age of exemption (24 in Lieberman's plan, 26 in Bismuth's), enlistment targets, and personal and financial sanctions for non-compliance. Lieberman's plan included financial sanctions on yeshivas and a mechanism for the special deferment arrangement to expire if enlistment targets were missed for three consecutive years, but lacked personal sanctions against draft dodgers. Bismuth's proposal included personal sanctions, such as travel restrictions and limitations on state benefits, alongside financial penalties for yeshivas.
Enlistment targets also differed, with Lieberman's 2018 proposal setting a target of nearly 4,000 in 2018, rising to over 6,000 by 2025. Bismuth's proposal had a target of over 8,000 over 18 months, averaging around 5,440 annually. The article notes that neither proposal, as originally formulated, guarantees the necessary increase in soldiers for the IDF, especially given post-October 7th security needs and the growth of the Haredi population. Lieberman's own acknowledgment of the need for adjustments to his 2018 proposal reflects this reality.
Haredi sources indicate ongoing talks with Lieberman's associates, suggesting a mutual lifting of vetoes. They reportedly trust Lieberman more than Gadi Eisenkot, the likely negotiator, but doubt Eisenkot's ability to secure Shas's support even if an agreement is reached with United Torah Judaism. Without Shas, the potential coalition would fall short of a majority. Lieberman frames his compromise as a political necessity to avoid a minority government reliant on Arab parties, which he believes would endanger Israeli security and facilitate Netanyahu's return. Haredi circles anticipate that Haredi parties and Yisrael Beiteinu would oppose such a government. Lieberman denied acting out of personal ambition for the premiership, stating it's an option, not an obsession, and highlighted his past efforts to improve conditions for soldiers.