MK Hili Tropper (Zionist-Reservists) slammed Prime Minister Netanyahu's remarks on Haredi conscription, saying there is 'no limit to cynicism' in promising to draft Haredim after repeatedly refusing to pass a real conscription law and siding with Haredi parties against the military's position. 'After nearly three years of war, 966 fallen soldiers, 24,000 wounded, and hundreds of thousands of reserve orders, he promises that this time he will really draft Haredim. It's simply impossible to believe him,' Tropper said, according to Ynet.
Earlier today at 13:10 Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a closed discussion that the temporary arrest law for Haredi draft evaders has failed and that after the elections he will form a broad national unity government to pass a full conscription law. He stated that Haredim who do not study Torah will enlist or face imprisonment. Shortly after, at 13:35 Jerusalem, MK Hili Tropper (Zionist-Reservists) slammed Netanyahu's remarks, accusing him of 'bottomless cynicism.' Tropper cited the heavy toll of the war — 966 fallen soldiers, 24,000 wounded, and hundreds of thousands of reserve call-up orders — and argued that Netanyahu has repeatedly refused to pass a genuine conscription law while siding with Haredi coalition parties over the military's position. 'He promises that this time he will really draft Haredim. It's simply impossible to believe him,' Tropper said, as reported by Ynet.
The Zioneer initially reported Netanyahu's remarks at 13:10 Jerusalem based on a report by Amit Segal (N12), later confirmed by ynet. The prime minister's statement represented a significant shift: acknowledging that the current temporary arrest law, which had granted immunity from arrest to draft-dodging yeshiva students, 'did not succeed in practice,' and vowing to replace it with a comprehensive draft law after the elections. The thread was updated multiple times within minutes as additional details emerged, including the specific warning that those who avoid Torah study would face enlistment or imprisonment.
The criticism from MK Tropper follows a pattern of opposition from the Zionist-Reservists party. As The Zioneer reported on July 26, Tropper previously criticized the government for approving 240,000 reserve call-up orders while simultaneously supporting laws that facilitate draft evasion. The broader issue of Haredi conscription remains a deeply divisive flashpoint in Israeli politics, exacerbated by the ongoing war and the strain on reserve forces.
It remains unclear how the government will implement the promised full conscription law, particularly given the coalition's reliance on Haredi parties. The prime minister's closed-door remarks, while reported by multiple outlets, have not been officially confirmed by the Prime Minister's Office, and the exact timeline for the proposed legislation has not been specified.
6 developments
- DevelopingGoldknopf claims IDF has 2 million soldiers, questions need for Haredi conscription
- StrongNetanyahu: Haredim who refuse enlistment will be imprisoned
- DevelopingMK Tropper slams government for approving 240,000 reserve orders while backing draft dodgers
- StrongRabbi Landau reiterates opposition to Haredi draft; Netanyahu calls for public backing of IDF troops
Source and signal
- Open-source intake