Deri Dismisses Ultra-Orthodox Draft Evasion, Citing IDF's 'Ability to Cope'

First reported by Haaretz · 5 hours ago

What happened

Shas party chairman Aryeh Deri stated the IDF can handle the issue of ultra-Orthodox draft evasion, claiming the army doesn't want Haredi soldiers. His comments drew criticism from former IDF Chief Gadi Eisenkot and ex-PM Naftali Bennett amidst the IDF's urgent need for recruits and ongoing legal battles over draft exemptions.

• 01Aryeh Deri dismissed calls to urge Haredi men to enlist, saying the IDF can manage.
• 02The IDF urgently needs 12,000 recruits, with 80,000 Haredi men eligible but not serving.
• 03Deri claimed the army doesn't want Haredi soldiers and lacks adequate provisions for them.
• 04Former IDF Chief Gadi Eisenkot and Naftali Bennett criticized Deri's remarks.
• 05Government efforts to exempt Haredi men from the draft face legal challenges and public opposition.

Summary translated & synthesized from the sources below by baba. Read each original for the full report.

Full coverage · 2 outlets

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The Times of IsraelCenter · English1 hour ago

Deri Dismisses Ultra-Orthodox Draft Evasion, Citing IDF's 'Ability to Cope'

HaaretzLeft · Hebrew5 hours ago

Interior Minister Aryeh Deri: IDF Knows How to Draft Haredim

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