0 commentsPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is walking a tightrope as the religious parties in his coalition demand passage of a draft exemption law.
Sources close to the negotiations reveal exclusively to Yeshiva World News that Netanyahu personally intervened Sunday with a rare English-language call to United Torah Judaism (UTJ) leader Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch. With a timeline initially set for Shavuos on June 2nd, Netanyahu argued that a three-month timeline was politically impossible.
Stay informed with JBN email alerts! Get the latest updates on breaking stories, global events, and community news directly in your inbox.Prior to that, Netanyahu secured promises from the Belz faction that they would remain in the government regardless of the draft law’s status. Despite Netanyahu’s pleas, Rabbi Hirsch’s rabbinical colleagues remained skeptical when consulted, noting that regardless of any deadline, the Prime Minister would likely seek further delays. After extensive discussions, they decided to set a new deadline for the end of summer.
The showdown comes after Israel’s High Court ruled last month that religious exemptions from military service were no longer legally protected. The IDF has already begun preparations to draft 3,000 yeshiva students. Meanwhile, behind-the-scenes efforts are reportedly underway to create a unified front between Ashkenazi and Sephardi religious leadership, which would increase pressure on Netanyahu’s already strained coalition.
The longstanding Haredi draft controversy has only intensified since Hamas launched its devastating Oct. 7, 2023 attack, with Israelis questioning their loyalty. With the IDF in dire need of soldiers with operations resuming in Gaza last Tuesday, Netanyahu is caught between military necessity and political survival, with neither the right or left wing parties knowing which side he will ultimately sacrifice.
Editor’s Note: Although to many it might seem strange why there is such strong opposition by Israel’s religious community to help the war effort in Gaza, it’s important to know their beliefs are rooted in safeguarding the nation’s Jewish identity from a separate war on the Jewish state’s identity. Religious conviction emerged as a common theme in the testimonies of former Oct. 7 hostages who tell how faith in God kept them alive as their bodies and souls were being tortured by Hamas.
Thank you for pointing out that religious
observance is important and was important to the released hostages and their families as well as a large portion of the Israeli population.
Haredi not serving puts strain on modern orthodox Israelis who serve. Many of these Haredi aren’t even using their time to study. They simply don’t want exposure to the outside world. The IDF is creating units so they won’t have to be exposed so there will be no more excuses. My grandfather was a Sephardic rabbi in Israel and all his sons served in the army.
Tali is 100% correct. Furthermore, let us not forget the religious hypocricy of the Haredi. Serving in the IDF and protecting Isreal from existential threats is a mitzvah. And for those not aware of the proper translation of the word mitzvah, it means commandment. In Exodus 17:18 and Deuteronomy 25:17 and 20:1, G-d commanded the Jews to serve in defense of the nation of Israel. And let us not forget after escaping Egypt, G-d told Mposes to male a list of all men aged 20 or more to serve in the army. Religious observance has nothing to do with the refusal of Haredi to serve. They are cowards and parasites onto the nation of Israel.
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