Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said Tuesday evening he will legislate a 'Deri Law' barring anyone who evaded IDF service or encouraged evasion from serving in the cabinet. Shas MK Michael Malkieli responded by calling Bennett 'hollow' and dismissing the proposal, saying the problem is not him but the platform he receives.
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Tuesday evening announced his intention to legislate a 'Deri Law' that would bar draft evaders from serving in Israel's security cabinet. Speaking at an event, Bennett said: 'We will legislate the "Deri Law," which determines that a draft evader cannot sit in the cabinet — anyone who evaded IDF service or encourages evasion will not be able to sit in the cabinet.'
Shas MK Michael Malkieli responded sharply, calling Bennett 'hollow' and dismissing his political position. 'We are not impressed by him. Every week he loses a mandate and will do anything to return to power. The problem is not him — it's the platform he is given,' Malkieli said.
The exchange comes amid an ongoing political debate over military conscription for ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students. As The Zioneer reported on August 2, Bennett previously set a condition for entering a future government that would require a 'Deri Law' to exclude draft evaders from the cabinet. He has repeatedly argued that the current draft framework has failed and that national service is essential for security and social cohesion. Malkieli's dismissive response reflects the deep divide between secular and Haredi political camps on the conscription issue. No timetable for the proposed legislation has been provided.
4 developments
- StrongBennett says 'door locked' for Haredi draft dodgers, calls situation a 'disgrace'
- DevelopingBennett: In my government, non-enlistees get no state funding
- DevelopingPM's office: coalition has the votes for Deri's bill to stop draft-evader arrests
- DevelopingBennett slams Haredi draft-freeze law as 'despicable' after High Court interim order
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