A proposal floated by a senior member of former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party to exempt a significant percentage of Chareidi yeshiva bochurim from military service triggered sharp attacks Wednesday from other opposition leaders, exposing major divisions over how a future government would handle the draft issue.
Yoram Cohen, the former head of the Shin Bet and a member of Eisenkot’s party, discussed Yashar’s proposed framework during an interview with Kan Reshet Bet, saying it would permit exemptions for a portion of the Chareidi population.
“Gadi already said in our plan, up to 3% of the overall draft, which can sometimes reach up to 30% of the entire Chareidi population — who would be called exceptional scholars and the like,” Cohen said.
Cohen indicated that the exemptions might not be limited exclusively to outstanding yeshiva students, adding: “And perhaps other relevant groups besides exceptional scholars would also receive [an exemption].”
The comments quickly drew a furious response from former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, chairman of the Beyachad party, who declared that he would accept no such compromise in a future government.
“For us, there will be no compromises whatsoever on the draft — not 30% exemptions and not ‘frameworks,’” Bennett said. “There will be one simple rule: Not Zionist — not on my dime. Everyone is obligated to enlist, and whoever does not serve the country will not receive a single shekel from the state for the rest of his life.”
Bennett went further, describing the issue as a non-negotiable condition for joining the next government.
“The tens of billions that the draft dodgers received will be transferred to those who serve. That’s it. This is the only way to save the country, and therefore it is an ironclad condition for the next government. A government that does not draft Chareidim and fix Israel has no right to exist.”
Avigdor Liberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu party similarly rejected Cohen’s proposal, insisting that it would oppose exemptions even on a far smaller scale.
“In the next government, everyone will serve in the IDF. There will be no exemption — not for 30% and not for 3%,” the party said.
The public clash highlights a significant divide among parties seeking to form an alternative government, with Eisenkot’s party signaling support for at least some exemptions for Chareidi yeshiva students while Bennett and Liberman are publicly demanding a far more sweeping draft policy.
(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
5 Responses
Not Zionist — not on my dime. Everyone is obligated to enlist, and whoever does not serve the country will not receive a single shekel from the state for the rest of his life.” DOES THIS INCLUDE THE ARABS???!!!
“This is the only way to save the country…” by PERSECUTING OVER 1M CHAREIDIM!!
I don’t see that they’re so upset that 100% of the Arabs are exempt and they’re living off all the government benefits. And much more than what the Jews were ever getting. Aren’t they leeches and blood suckers? Don’t listen to these dirty hypocrites
30% exceptional scholars!! I would be happy with 1%. lo ho’ya, ve’lo ye’hiyeh
How do these politicians keep on repeating the same lies over and over.
Parasites!? In Israel if you have a business you must add 18% VAT, even if your profits are much less than minimum wage. If you are an employed man, you get zero tax credits even if you have ten children (except for very young children). If Chareidim pay VAT and income tax and get nothing in return, then who are the parasites?
The Revolutionary War in the US was started for these kind of abuses by the British.
Don’t forget that Bennet’s partner Lapid gave away to Lebanon and Hezbollah $5 Billion in gas reserves for free. That could have paid all the kollel stipends for decades and decades!