MK Merav Michaeli accused the coalition Monday evening of treating the IDF chief of staff as a 'fifth column,' warning that political cynicism over the conscription law will lead to bloodshed. 'The danger to Israel's security is not only on the borders, it is also in the legislation in the Knesset,' she said.
MK Merav Michaeli, chair of the Knesset Subcommittee on IDF Readiness and Ongoing Security, issued a sharp warning Monday evening, accusing the coalition of 'political cynicism' over the conscription law and saying it 'will lead to bloodshed and expand the circle of bereaved families.' The statement came as a separate, intensified expression of dissent from the earlier joint criticism by opposition leaders.
Earlier Monday at 16:37 Jerusalem, the first opposition response came from Gadi Eisenkot, who said the government is 'against strengthening the IDF during wartime' and that the chief of staff's letter left the coalition nowhere to run. Minutes later, at 16:37 Jerusalem, MKs Michaeli and Naftali Bennett joined Eisenkot, with Bennett calling the government the 'October 7 government' and Michaeli accusing the coalition of 'political cynicism that will lead to bloodshed.' The Zioneer reported both responses.
Michaeli's latest remarks, delivered as the evening progressed, frame the conscription crisis as a domestic security threat. 'The danger to Israel's security is not only on the borders, it is also in the legislation in the Knesset,' she said, adding that the coalition treats security chiefs as a 'fifth column, an enemy of the people.' The conscription debate has been a central political flashpoint, with the IDF chief of staff warning of critical manpower shortages.
The coalition has not yet responded to Michaeli's latest statement. It remains unclear whether the government will address the growing opposition criticism or propose amendments to the conscription law.
3 developments
- DevelopingMK Shelly Tal Meron calls Communications Minister's accusations 'cowardly, criminal legislation'
- StrongEisenkot slams coalition after first reading of conscription law: 'You prefer government survival over IDF resilience'
- DevelopingIDF senior officers warn combat force nearing collapse without service extension
- StrongIsraeli defense official warns of 'critical' personnel crisis unless IDF service extension passes Knesset
Source and signal
- Internal intake