Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a closed discussion Sunday that the temporary arrest law for Haredi draft evaders has not succeeded in practice, according to Amit Segal (N12). Netanyahu stated that those who do not study Torah will either enlist or go to prison.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged in a closed discussion with reporters earlier today (Sunday) that the temporary arrest law aimed at Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) draft evaders has failed in practice. According to Amit Segal (N12), Netanyahu stated that Haredi men who do not pursue full-time Torah study will be required to enlist in the IDF or face imprisonment. The remarks, reported at 13:10 Jerusalem time, come as the coalition grapples with the long-standing crisis over Haredi conscription.
The Zioneer reported at 13:10 Jerusalem that Netanyahu had ruled out renewing the temporary arrest law in the next government, pledging instead to form a broad national unity government after the elections that would pass a full draft law. The initial version of the thread noted the law's failure and the ultimatum that those who do not study Torah will enlist or go to prison. A second version confirmed the imprisonment threat, and a third added the broad unity government pledge. All reports stem from the closed discussion, as relayed by Amit Segal (N12).
The Zioneer has previously reported on the backdrop of the Haredi draft crisis. On Saturday, June 27, Netanyahu said he would activate every possible sanction against anyone who does not study Torah. Government Secretary Yossi Fuchs defended the arrest freeze law in July, arguing that arrests reduce enlistment. The coalition has faced repeated setbacks in advancing a comprehensive draft law, including the stalled Basic Law: Torah Study.
It remains unclear how the commitment to a full draft law will be implemented, given the coalition's internal divisions and the failure of previous legislative attempts. The remarks were made in a closed setting and have not been officially confirmed by the Prime Minister's Office. The practical enforcement of the ultimatum — enlistment or prison — and the timeline for a new law remain open questions.
6 developments
- StrongBennett: Netanyahu's Haredi draft push is a 'pathetic spin'
- DevelopingGoldknopf claims IDF has 2 million soldiers, questions need for Haredi conscription
- 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
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