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 reports by Amit Segal (N12) and ynet. Netanyahu stated that after the elections, a broad national unity government will pass a full conscription law, and those who do not study Torah will either enlist or go to prison.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared in a closed discussion Sunday that the temporary arrest law for Haredi draft evaders — which has been a central coalition flashpoint — has failed in practice and will not be renewed in the next government.
According to reports by Amit Segal (N12) and ynet, Netanyahu said the law was designed to 'lower the flames and increase the number of recruits from the Haredi public,' but it did not succeed. He announced that after the upcoming elections, a broad national unity government will be formed that will immediately pass a full conscription law meeting the IDF's needs. 'Whoever does not study Torah will enlist — or go to prison,' Netanyahu said.
The remarks mark a significant shift from earlier positions. As The Zioneer reported at 13:17, the statement was first reported by N12's Amit Segal, who quoted Netanyahu in a closed-door discussion. The development also follows months of coalition turmoil over the arrest law, which aimed to shield yeshiva students from detention for draft evasion. The High Court of Justice had previously heard arguments that the law 'apparently must be annulled,' as The Zioneer reported on July 28.
The prime minister's comments suggest a hardening stance on Haredi enlistment, with an explicit threat of incarceration for those who do not study Torah and refuse to serve. The timeline for the next elections and the composition of the proposed 'broad national government' remain unclear.
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
- Open-source intake