Netanyahu Pledges Full Military Conscription Law for Ultra-Orthodox in Next Government

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the issue of military conscription among the ultra-Orthodox community during a closed-door discussion on Sunday. He acknowledged that the current temporary detention law, aimed at reducing tensions and increasing enlistment among ultra-Orthodox draft candidates, had failed to achieve its goals. Netanyahu stated that no similar temporary law would be promoted after the upcoming elections.

Instead, Netanyahu outlined plans for the next government to pass a comprehensive conscription law that fully addresses the Israel Defense Forces' manpower needs. He emphasized that a broad national government would be formed post-election to immediately enact this full conscription legislation. Netanyahu linked the composition of the future government directly to the ability to advance this law.

In a particularly strong statement, Netanyahu declared that those who neither study Torah nor enlist in the military would no longer be exempt from service. "Whoever does not study Torah will enlist or go to jail," he said, signaling a stricter enforcement policy against draft evasion within the ultra-Orthodox sector.