Opposition leader Naftali Bennett said in a Channel 12 interview that he will not cooperate with Haredi parties that support draft evasion, specifically ruling out Shas leader Aryeh Deri from a future cabinet and calling the situation a 'disgrace,' according to political commentator Yishai Cohen.
In a follow-up interview with Channel 12's Yishai Cohen, Bennett expanded on his earlier remarks from Thursday morning, in which he said the 'door is locked' for Haredi parties that back draft evasion. This time, he specifically named Shas leader Aryeh Deri, stating Deri will not serve in a cabinet under his leadership and describing the situation as a 'disgrace.' The remarks underscore the deepening divide between Bennett's camp and the ultra-Orthodox parties over the issue of military conscription for yeshiva students, which remains a key sticking point in coalition negotiations.
3 developments
- DevelopingBennett: In my government, non-enlistees get no state funding
- StrongBennett pledges 'Deri Law' to bar draft evaders from cabinet; Shas MK fires back
- DevelopingBennett deflects question on Eisenkot by pivoting to Haredi conscription, commentator says
- DevelopingBennett says he will not advance judicial reform in next government: 'We are not here to BS'
Source and signal
- Open-source intake