Journalist Haim Levinson argues that the Haredi leadership's fundamental indifference to the state — not anti-Zionism but a lack of interest — is the root of the enlistment crisis. He contends that Rabbi Dov Landau's recent remarks reflect this stance, and that Prime Minister Netanyahu's response distorted them for political gain. Levinson assesses that the Haredi public will be decisive in the upcoming elections, as center-right parties capitalize on anti-Haredi sentiment.
Journalist Haim Levinson, writing in a widely-shared column, argues that the Haredi leadership's core worldview is not opposition to Zionism but indifference to the state. 'The essence of the Haredi position,' he writes, 'is: we have no interest in the state, we are indifferent to it.' He contends that Rabbi Dov Landau's recent remarks — in which he said Israel's wars are not existential but for honor, and that yeshiva students should not enlist — accurately reflect this longstanding stance. Levinson notes that Prime Minister Netanyahu's response, which distorted Landau's words to suggest he called religious Zionist soldiers murderers, was a political move to distance himself from the Haredi parties ahead of elections. The piece assesses that the Haredi public will be decisive in the upcoming elections, as center-right parties seek to capitalize on growing anti-Haredi sentiment among the general public. The column reflects deep divisions within the right-wing coalition over the draft issue, which has intensified since October 7.
- StrongRabbi Landau reiterates opposition to Haredi draft; Netanyahu calls for public backing of IDF troops
- DevelopingAriel Kahana warns of state collapse from within via Haredi draft refusal
- DevelopingChaim Levinson: Dismantle Haredi political control, exempt yeshiva students from service for a decade
- DevelopingMK Malkieli responds for first time to claims PM ignores Haredi draft crisis
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