Students Prioritize Draft and Cost of Living at National Youth Conference
At the National Youth Conference in Jerusalem, student groups highlighted the draft law, cost of living, and security as top priorities ahead of the upcoming Knesset elections, featuring statements from Naftali Bennett, Yoaz Hendel, and Itamar Ben Gvir.
The National Youth Conference of the National Union of Students was held today at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem ahead of the upcoming Knesset elections. The conference placed the primary concerns of the younger generation at the forefront of the public agenda, including the cost of living, the future of employment, and academic and mental resilience.
Key Priorities for Young Voters
Interviews with various youth groups at the event revealed that their top priorities for the upcoming elections are the draft law, the cost of living, and personal and national security. The ranking of these issues varies mainly depending on their place of residence. Students studying or living in the north defined security as more critical, while students from the central region stated that the draft law is the most important issue. Some students noted that replacing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would offer solutions to various challenges, including the military draft and the cost of living.
Throughout nearly all panels, even those not directly addressing politics, security, or the draft, the issue of reservists and the burden of service emerged repeatedly, highlighting its central importance among the student population.
Bennett and Hendel on Coalition and Security
During the political panels, "BeYachad" party leader Naftali Bennett addressed economic and security issues, promising tangible changes.
"We will see a real change in the cost of living within six to seven months after we form a government—a 30% drop within two and a half years," Bennett pledged.
Regarding the October 7 massacre, Bennett stated that he had not anticipated the comprehensive raid by Hamas, though he had feared such a scenario from Hezbollah.
Meanwhile, Yoaz Hendel, chairman of The Reservists and Economic party, called for the formation of a government excluding Haredi and Arab parties, urging political figures to break away from alliances with the current coalition.
Ben Gvir on Regional Security and Gaza
Itamar Ben Gvir, the Minister of National Security, addressed efforts in the Negev and the Galilee, operations in Gaza, and the fight against crime.
"We are losing the Galilee and the Negev, and we will direct our main resources there," Ben Gvir declared.
