Naftali Bennett Rules Out Coalition with Ultra-Orthodox Parties Over Military Draft Exemptions

Naftali Bennett, leader of the Yachad party and former Israeli Prime Minister, has firmly rejected any coalition cooperation with ultra-Orthodox parties that support exemptions from IDF military service for yeshiva students. In an interview with Kikar HaShabbat, Bennett stated that the door is closed to anyone endorsing draft evasion, emphasizing that this issue threatens the future of the Jewish state. He warned that 15% of the population currently lives in a separate ultra-Orthodox society, and without addressing this existential challenge now, it will never be resolved.

Bennett also criticized a draft proposal by Gadi Eisenkot, head of the Yesh Atid party, which suggested that 3% of each draft cohort receive exemptions to study Torah. Bennett argued that this would effectively mean 30% of the ultra-Orthodox cohort would be exempted, calling it a "crazy mistake." He expressed skepticism that political leaders like Moshe Gafni and Aryeh Deri would allow meaningful change, citing four years of ultra-Orthodox-led government as evidence of failure.

Meanwhile, representatives of the United Torah Judaism party, particularly from the Agudat Yisrael Hasidic faction, have indicated openness to coalition negotiations in exchange for legislation securing draft exemptions. MK Yaakov Asher recently stated that they are not committed to the bloc led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and will align with whoever meets their demands on this issue.

Bennett’s statements highlight the deep divisions within Israeli politics over the military draft and the integration of the ultra-Orthodox community, signaling ongoing tensions ahead of future coalition talks.