Netanyahu Clashes With Haredi Parties Over Military Draft Deal Amid Coalition Tensions

Following the approval of a political deal between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Haredi parties, a sharp conflict erupted between Netanyahu, his Likud party, and their ultra-Orthodox coalition partners. Netanyahu condemned the anti-draft slogans "We will die and not enlist" as "a terrible sentence" and firmly rejected calls to exempt Haredim from military service.

Government Secretary Yossi Fox accused Rabbi Dov Lando, a leading Haredi figure, of blocking the military draft law after two years and 86 discussions, stating that no alternative draft formula would be accepted without significant sanctions. Netanyahu’s advisor Jonathan Urich also sparked controversy by urging Haredi activists to "shut up for 99 days so we can win the elections," comments that drew sharp criticism from Haredi lawmakers.

The ultra-Orthodox press responded with harsh criticism of Netanyahu and his allies. The Haredi weekly Hakika accused Netanyahu of joining the left-wing bloc and targeting the Haredi community. Meanwhile, the Haredi-Litvak and Shas newspapers attacked the Religious Zionist Party, led by Bezalel Smotrich, accusing them of manipulating the Haredi public and undermining Torah scholars.

These tensions highlight a growing rift within the coalition, with Netanyahu and Likud attempting to appeal to voters disillusioned by the draft legislation, while the Haredi parties remain dependent on Netanyahu due to their opposition to a genuine draft law and rejection by other political blocs. The Religious Zionist Party also faces criticism from Haredi media for its role in the coalition and its stance on the draft.

The dispute underscores the fragile nature of the coalition and the challenges in balancing military conscription demands with the political interests of Israel’s ultra-Orthodox parties.