akuperma -“Health: Lapid’s views on security are very similar to Likud – keep some settlements, ditch the rest. Also, Lapid like the Hareidim is largely a one-issue party that can be “bought” — give Lapid what he wants (a Hareidi draft with few loopholes) and he’ll compromise on other issues. Lapid might also agree to recognize “religious objections” (he’s big on respect for international legal principles”) to military service especially if coupled with restricting government funding to veterans.”
I disagree with your pessimistic attitude. I think he is closer than you think to Bibi’s belief of expanding the national service in the framework that exists. I don’t think he’ll demand an all out draft of the Charedim – which btw will collapse the State of Israel due to the social unrest. Maybe the Charedim can’t collapse the State by themselves, but the Arabs are looking for such an oppurtunity and together they both will turn over the State. I think Bibi and others know this and will do their best to avoid such a situation.
Also, I think his main demand is the peace process, Not Charedim army service. This was his first thought about why there needs to be a new party – from the Jerusalem post a few months ago:
I’m not a Novi, but this is the way I see things. He’ll compromise on the Charedi draft, but not on continuing to build new settlements. BH wants the Charedi draft, but might compromise on it, but they won’t compromise on not having more settlements.