Former MK Yaakov Margi Criticizes Ultra-Orthodox Leadership Over Military Draft Crisis

Former Shas party MK Yaakov Margi sharply criticizes the ultra-Orthodox leadership for its fragmented approach and failure to manage the military draft issue effectively. Speaking on the Israel Hayom podcast, Margi reflects on 24 years of political activity within Shas and expresses regret over the community's concession to the extremist Jerusalem Faction. He attributes the current crisis to the lack of a strong, unified rabbinic leadership since the passing of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef and leading Ashkenazi rabbis, describing the leadership as scattered and overly concerned with public image.

Margi condemns the ultra-Orthodox community's fear of the Jerusalem Faction, which he says led to pushing the entire community into their hands. On the contentious issue of drafting yeshiva students, Margi calls it a "bleeding wound" and laments missed opportunities to implement the Edelstein draft plan, which could have balanced military service and Torah study. He recalls a time when he actively encouraged enlistment and collaborated with the Defense Ministry to create draft tracks for many.

He stresses that true Jewish values require equality in sharing the draft burden and criticizes the leadership for failing to enforce the principle that those not studying Torah must serve in the army. Margi also accuses the Sephardic leadership of submissiveness to the more extreme Ashkenazi ultra-Orthodox faction, which he believes prioritizes insular community interests over the broader Jewish people and the State of Israel.

Concluding, Margi argues that recent legislative moves, including the Basic Law on Torah Study and detention laws, were mistakes born of political pressure. He advocates for enforcing existing draft laws to conscript those not engaged in Torah study and calls for visible military presence in ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods to demonstrate commitment to national service.