MK Meir Cohen (Yesh Atid) sharply criticized the government's freeze on arrests of military deserters during a Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee session, calling it "the biggest spit in the face of those who serve." His remarks join growing political opposition to the policy.
MK Meir Cohen (Yesh Atid) condemned the government's decision to freeze arrests of military deserters, speaking during a discussion in the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Tuesday. "What, you sit there and defend this? This is the legal laundering of desertion," Cohen said, according to the committee's proceedings. He added that the policy represents "the biggest spit in the face of those who serve" — a reference to soldiers and reservists.
The criticism adds to a growing political backlash. As The Zioneer reported on Sunday, MK Yulia Malinovsky (Yisrael Beiteinu) also denounced the freeze, saying the government "spits on citizens and calls it rain." The policy — a temporary suspension of arrest procedures for soldiers who evade service — has sparked heated debate in recent days, with opponents arguing it undermines military discipline and disrespects those who do serve. The government has not yet responded to the latest criticism.
- DevelopingMK Malinovsky criticizes freeze on deserters' arrests, calls government disrespectful
- DevelopingMK Goldknopf: Government is arresting draft evaders 'who have done no wrong'
- StrongInciting chants against IDF chief of staff at anti-desertion arrest protest; Katz condemns
- DevelopingCoalition sources: Defense Minister Katz blocking bill to freeze arrests of Haredi draft evaders
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