Against the backdrop of deepening tensions over the military draft of yeshiva students, Charedi lawmakers have introduced a bill that would lower the voting age for Knesset elections from 18 to 17. The legislation, spearheaded by MK Meir Porush (United Torah Judaism), mirrors existing voting rights already granted in municipal elections and is being framed as a move to bolster civic engagement among Israel’s youth.

In explanatory notes accompanying the bill, MK Porush wrote that 17-year-olds in Israel are “socially and politically engaged, deeply concerned about the country’s future and ready to take responsibility.” According to the proposal, the change would add an estimated 120,000 new eligible voters to the electorate.

Porush cited research from countries like Austria—where the voting age is already 16 or 17—indicating that younger voters often turn out in greater numbers than those between the ages of 18 and 21. He attributed this to the continued influence of family and educational institutions. “Expanding voting rights will increase civic engagement, compel politicians to address youth issues, and strengthen Israeli democracy overall,” the bill states.

The timing of the proposal comes as political and societal pressures surrounding the military draft of Charedi men intensify. United Torah Judaism chairman and former housing minister Yitzhak Goldknopf added fuel to the fire in a Thursday interview with Makor Rishon, warning that any attempt to force yeshiva students into military service could result in mass emigration. “If it comes to that,” he said, “Israel will become a state without Charedim. They’ll leave the country.”

Goldknopf reiterated the longstanding Charedi position that Torah study is its own form of national service and insisted that the responsibility for filling the IDF’s ranks lies elsewhere. “If you’re short 50,000 soldiers,” he said, “go find the 100,000 draft dodgers in Tel Aviv and Gush Dan. Charedim won’t change their way of life because there’s a war.”

The UTJ leader also criticized Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, accusing him of failing to deliver on promises of a formal exemption law for yeshiva students. “If Netanyahu really wanted a draft law, he would’ve locked the key players in a room until they reached a deal,” Goldknopf said, echoing similar frustrations voiced by his senior adviser, Moti Babchik.

Asked whether the war in Gaza qualifies as a milchemes mitzvah, Goldknopf dismissed the question. “I was told there are 100,000 draft dodgers in Tel Aviv and the Gush Dan area,” he repeated.

Goldknopf warned that the army’s recent moves to issue draft orders and threaten arrests for yeshiva students would “cross a red line” and “shake Israel to its core.”

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the Religious Zionist Party, denounced Goldknopf’s comments as inflammatory and divisive. “Goldknopf, shame on you,” Smotrich said. “Our sages taught that whoever does not share in the suffering of the community will not share in its consolation. The pain of Israel’s bereaved families is not just a Religious Zionist pain—it is a national pain. Anyone who excludes himself from this is denying the essence of our shared identity.”

Despite the criticism, Goldknopf said his party remains committed to its voters and open to joining future coalitions—if their core demands are respected. “We’re loyal to our voters,” he said. “Anyone who delivers for them gets our support. Those who only make promises, let them keep talking somewhere else.”

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