Haredi Parties Clash Over Netanyahu's Stance on Draft Law Amid Political Turmoil

A political storm erupted following briefings from Prime Minister Netanyahu's circle about freezing arrests of draft-dodging Haredi yeshiva students, exposing deep divisions within the Haredi camp. The briefings claimed the initiative aimed to calm tensions but failed and would not advance in the next government, sparking sharp reactions.

At a meeting of the Degel HaTorah faction, members chose deliberate silence, avoiding official responses to the briefings. Behind the scenes, faction sources described the move as a fundamentally flawed election tactic by Likud that reignited the contentious Haredi draft debate and ultimately harms Netanyahu. They warned that any response would only amplify the controversy.

In contrast, Yisrael Torah Judaism chairman MK Yitzhak Goldknopf openly criticized Netanyahu, stating the Prime Minister's remarks confirmed their initial belief that there was no genuine intention to regulate the status of yeshiva students or pass a real draft law. Goldknopf said this justified their earlier decision to leave the government.

The episode highlights ongoing tensions within the Haredi political bloc and the sensitive nature of the draft issue in Israeli politics, with potential implications for coalition dynamics and the upcoming elections.