Likud MK Moshe Saada Admits Voting for Controversial Draft Law Despite Opposition

In a recent podcast interview with Maariv, Likud MK Moshe Saada openly discussed his conflicted stance on the Israeli military draft law. Saada revealed that although he personally opposed the law, which he described as "not moral, not Zionist," he voted in favor of it to maintain party unity. He explained the personal toll of military service on his family, noting all five of his children serve in various capacities, including his daughter who recently completed service in the elite Shayetet 13 naval unit and was immediately re-enlisted for reserves.

Saada criticized the draft law for lacking ethical foundations and expressed regret over its impact, stating it "caused us to bleed." He also defended the Basic Law on Torah Study, emphasizing the importance of Torah as the foundation of the Jewish state and rejecting claims that the law grants exemptions from military service. Saada argued that the law does not provide automatic exemptions and accused critics of misrepresenting its content.

The discussion shifted to Arab parties and their cooperation with Israel’s enemies. Saada alleged that Mansour Abbas, leader of the Ra'am party, met secretly with Hamas and Islamic Jihad leaders in Turkey in 2018, information he said was kept from the public as part of covert counterterrorism operations. He further claimed that funds transferred to Ra'am-linked organizations ended up with Hamas, a charge that sparked a heated exchange with co-hosts. Saada also criticized the recognition of degrees from Palestinian universities linked to Hamas, calling it dangerous given the political affiliations of student bodies there.

On the topic of military exemptions, Saada reiterated his "no service, no benefits" stance, advocating for prioritizing those who serve in state employment, academia, and housing programs. He acknowledged the complexity of conscription in Israel, noting that less than half of the 150,000 eligible annually actually enlist, including among secular Jews, Arabs, and Haredim.

The conversation also touched on former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot, with Saada accusing him of supporting draft refusal movements, a claim disputed by the hosts. Saada expressed hope for a broad, Zionist government that would heal societal divisions. He concluded by emphasizing his belief in compulsory service for those not engaged in Torah study, reflecting his view that military service is a religious and national duty.