Yoaz Hendel Vows No Compromise With Ultra-Orthodox Parties Over Military Conscription

In a heated interview on Kikar HaShabbat, Yoaz Hendel, chairman of the Zionist Home - Reservists party, took a firm and uncompromising stance against the ultra-Orthodox political parties regarding military conscription. Hendel equated the refusal of military service by the ultra-Orthodox community to a form of apostasy from the Torah, criticizing their deliberate avoidance of service for political and financial reasons. He emphasized his demand that all Israeli citizens, regardless of background, must contribute to the state through service or work, stating, "Anyone who does not do so cannot receive anything from the state or make decisions for me."

Hendel also launched a sharp attack on Aryeh Deri, leader of the Shas party, accusing him of perpetuating discrimination within ultra-Orthodox seminaries and preventing even non-religious ultra-Orthodox youth from enlisting. He described Shas as the most damaging party to Israel and labeled it as racist against Ashkenazi ultra-Orthodox Jews. Despite his harsh criticism, Hendel expressed a personal connection to the ultra-Orthodox community, calling them his brothers and insisting he would not give up on them due to their potential and shared fate.

Regarding his political strategy, Hendel justified his alliance with Minister Hili Tropper as a principled move to form a Zionist government excluding both ultra-Orthodox and Arab parties. He rejected any compromise on the issue of equal burden sharing, warning that concessions would lead to the fragmentation of the state into autonomous regions. Hendel also criticized Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for encouraging mass draft evasion and highlighted the urgent need for tens of thousands more soldiers to maintain Israel's security.

Hendel concluded by reaffirming his role as the right-wing political marker against concessions to ultra-Orthodox parties, insisting he would not sit or negotiate with them under any circumstances. He called for a system where ultra-Orthodox individuals study Torah but also serve in the military, with a small percentage allowed to focus solely on study. The full interview is available on Kikar HaShabbat's platform.