Draft Law

In an unusual meeting at the White House, the Satmar Admorim delivered to President Trump an "urgent appeal for the protection of the rights of the Haredi community" The letter, drafted by members of the Haredi community, accuses the State of Israel of religious persecution, claims that yeshiva students live in fear of arrest, and warns that American citizens are trapped in Israel. The message to...

An unusual meeting in the Oval Office: The Satmar Rebbes will meet with President Trump in Washington, carrying a dramatic letter from Haredi leaders in Israel titled: "Urgent appeal for the protection of the rights of the Haredi community in Israel."

Likud spokesperson Guy Levy confirmed that the party intends to pass a draft exemption law immediately after the elections, before forming a government, in response to a demand by Shas MK Yoav Ben-Tzur.

The party chairman opened the election campaign at a closed-to-the-press event in Holon and dodged questions. The event took place hours after he reached an agreement with Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef that the next government would pass an exemption from military service. The move is intended to stop the party's decline in the polls against the backdrop of a crisis of confidence with the Sephardic public.

MK Boaz Bismuth addressed the judicial system's intervention in the draft law during an interview with the Open Studio, while also criticizing members of the coalition. He stated that the law is fully prepared and that opposition to it was driven by a desire for media headlines.

MK Moshe Saada stated that Likud lost 6–8 mandates due to the draft law and expressed confidence in his ability to win them back. He also supported the party's reserved spots system, criticized the Attorney General, and praised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security management.

The chairman of Degel HaTorah provided an unusual statement regarding the long-standing alliance with the Prime Minister, against the backdrop of the draft crisis and the parties' attempt to project distance ahead of the elections. Naftali Bennett attacked the statement, asserting that Gafni, Netanyahu, and Deri are equally responsible for the evasion of military service.

Since October 7, many families have been dealing repeatedly with dozens of days of reserve duty, children's fears, and disruption of daily life. Alongside the pride in service, sharp criticism is heard regarding the exemption for the ultra-Orthodox and the support of Religious Zionism for the draft law.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has once again resorted to political manipulation by leaking contradictory statements about the draft law. This move is aimed at retaining wavering Likud voters.

The law to cancel the arrest of Haredi draft dodgers has become an ideological and political burden. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trapped between the need to maintain his coalition and the public demand for equality.