Religious Zionism Candidate Sparks Controversy Over Military Manpower Remarks
A Religious Zionism candidate sparked controversy in Tel Aviv by urging youth to have children for military manpower, claiming it will not come from ultra-Orthodox communities.
A candidate for the "Religious Zionism" party sparked controversy during a youth event in Tel Aviv when he urged attendees to have children to supply future military manpower, explicitly stating it would not come from the ultra-Orthodox community.
Lt. Col. (res.) Itamar Eitam, ranked sixth on the "Religious Zionism" list, made the remarks during a panel discussion. Responding to a moderator's prompt, Eitam stated: "Make children. There is a manpower shortage, and it will not come from the ultra-Orthodox—it will come from you." He added jokingly, "By order, forward, I am releasing you early."
MK Naor Shiri, representing the "BeYachad" list, immediately interrupted him from the audience, remarking, "By the way, that wasn't funny," which drew laughter from the crowd.
