Ex-IDF Chief Gadi Eizenkot and Yuli Edelstein Accused of Undermining Haredi Soldier Recruitment

Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot and former Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman Yuli Edelstein have been accused of sabotaging a historic opportunity to recruit 20,000 Haredi soldiers into the Israel Defense Forces. According to former Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen, Eizenkot agreed to grant a broad exemption to 30% of the Haredi population under the guise of "exceptional individuals," effectively maintaining the military draft exemption for a large segment of the ultra-Orthodox community. This move, coordinated with Edelstein and the "Yashar" party, is described as a deliberate act of deception and political manipulation that undermined national resilience during wartime.

The controversy arises amid ongoing debates over the 2025 military draft law, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushing for a realistic and enforceable recruitment plan. However, Eizenkot and Edelstein reportedly formed a unified front opposing the legislation, engaging in extensive negotiations with legal authorities to block the law despite urgent national security needs. Critics accuse them of prioritizing narrow electoral interests over social equality and military readiness.

Eizenkot's strategic judgment is further questioned due to his failure to recognize the threat posed by terror tunnels and his involvement in controversial plans to allow 150,000 Palestinians into Israel as part of dubious international agreements. These actions raise serious doubts about his commitment to Israel's long-term security and the government's peace strategy.

The exposed agreements and political maneuvers have sparked outrage among various political factions, particularly those advocating for equal burden-sharing in military service. The episode is seen as a betrayal that not only damaged the government's stability but also hindered efforts to strengthen the IDF and promote social cohesion. Political analyst Yaakov Bardugo highlighted these points in a recent broadcast, emphasizing the manipulation behind the scenes that contradicts public calls for equality in military conscription.