Former IDF Chief Gadi Eizenkot Rejects Compromise on Haredi Draft Law, Accepts Possible New Elections

Hagai Hoverman warns that willingness to hold additional elections, especially over the contentious issue of Haredi military conscription, risks undermining public trust in Israeli democracy and could plunge the country back into the political instability seen between 2019 and 2021. Former IDF Chief of Staff and Yisrael party leader Gadi Eizenkot responded firmly to remarks by Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, who expressed greater trust in Eizenkot than in Prime Minister Netanyahu, stating, "We will not compromise on the draft law, even if it means going to new elections."

Eizenkot has previously indicated a preference for new elections over compromising on the draft law. In a recent interview with Channel 12, he said, "If the choice is between forming a government and a draft evasion law, I prefer new elections and no compromise on universal conscription." Opposition to draft-related legislation, including the Basic Law on Torah Study, daycare laws, and detention laws, enjoys broad national consensus across nearly all sectors except the Haredi community itself.

There is also widespread agreement that the next government should exclude both Haredi and Arab parties, whose contribution to national security is viewed as negligible. Hoverman stresses that the phrase "going to additional elections" should be avoided as it is politically toxic, just like compromising on the draft law is unacceptable. He warns that if Eizenkot considers new elections a realistic option, voters should reconsider supporting him.

Reflecting on the political deadlock from 2019 to 2021, Hoverman recalls the cycle of repeated elections that only ended with the formation of the Bennett-Lapid government. He supported that government solely to avoid further elections and the continued leadership of Netanyahu. Hoverman criticizes the current Netanyahu government for unprecedented settlement expansion in the West Bank but also for serious failures, particularly regarding the Haredi draft issue.

Hoverman concludes that the upcoming elections must result in a broad government, preferably led by the right-wing, and warns that anyone sabotaging such a government should not be part of Israel's leadership.