Naftali Bennett Demands No Compromises on Haredi Military Draft, Criticizes Gadi Eizenkot's Party

Naftali Bennett, chairman of the Yachad party, sharply criticized the position of Gadi Eizenkot's party, Yisrael, regarding the military draft of Haredi Jews. Bennett rejected any broad exemptions from service, responding directly to statements by Yoram Cohen, a member of Eizenkot's party, who suggested that exemptions might extend beyond elite yeshiva students ("elite scholars").

Bennett declared unequivocally that there would be no compromises on the draft: "No 30% exemptions, no 'frameworks.'" He emphasized a simple rule: "If you are not Zionist, you will not benefit from the state financially for life." Bennett also proposed reallocating funds currently given to draft evaders to those who serve in the military, calling this the only way to save the country and a non-negotiable condition for joining the next government.

The controversy intensified after Cohen indicated that the party's plan might grant broad exemptions, including to groups beyond the elite yeshiva students. Israel Beytenu, another party, also responded firmly, stating that in the next government, everyone will serve in the IDF, with no exemptions for 30% or even 3% of the population.

Bennett positioned the issue of Haredi conscription as a central condition for his party's participation in the upcoming government, asserting that a government failing to draft Haredim and reform Israel lacks legitimacy. This stance aims to differentiate Yachad from Eizenkot's party and highlights the conscription debate as a key political battleground ahead of the elections.