IDF Chief Criticizes Government Over Controversial Draft Evasion Law

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Ayal Zamir sharply criticized the government for advancing legislation aimed at preventing the arrest of ultra-Orthodox draft evaders. Zamir reiterated his opposition to the law, which was approved in its second and third readings in the Knesset despite his repeated warnings to political leaders. He described the law as fundamentally flawed and noted that the Supreme Court had already suspended its implementation.

Zamir expressed his criticism during a meeting with IDF generals about two and a half weeks ago, stating that the military had presented its position multiple times in various committees but was ignored. He emphasized that the law is "distorted from its foundation" and expressed doubt it would pass judicial review. Zamir also instructed his commanders to closely monitor developments related to the law, a directive interpreted by some as a call to ensure police cooperation with the military police in enforcing draft arrests.

Previously, Zamir had sent letters to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Kitz, and the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman, declaring that the IDF would not sign mass exemptions for draft evaders. Despite this, the government pushed forward with the legislation, prompting Zamir’s renewed public condemnation. His comments highlight ongoing tensions between the military leadership and the political echelon over handling draft evasion among the ultra-Orthodox community.