Bennett, Liberman Blast Eisenkot Party Over Plan To Exempt Up To 30% Of Chareidim From IDF Draft

A proposal from a senior member of former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party to exempt a significant percentage of Chareidi yeshiva students from military service prompted sharp criticism Wednesday from other opposition leaders, revealing major disagreements over how a future government would address the draft issue.

Yoram Cohen, the former head of the Shin Bet and a member of Eisenkot's party, outlined Yashar's proposed framework during an interview with Kan Reshet Bet, describing how it would allow exemptions for part of the Chareidi population. "Gadi already said in our plan, up to 3% of the overall draft, which can sometimes reach up to 30% of the entire Chareidi population, who would be called exceptional scholars and the like," Cohen said. Cohen suggested the exemptions might extend beyond outstanding yeshiva students, stating: "And perhaps other relevant groups besides exceptional scholars would also receive [an exemption]."

The remarks immediately drew strong pushback from former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, chairman of the Beyachad party, who said he would not accept such compromises in a future government. "For us, there will be no compromises whatsoever on the draft, not 30% exemptions and not 'frameworks,'" Bennett said. "There will be one simple rule: Not Zionist, not on my dime. Everyone is obligated to enlist, and whoever does not serve the country will not receive a single shekel from the state for the rest of his life."

Bennett characterized the issue as essential to forming a coalition. "The tens of billions that the draft dodgers received will be transferred to those who serve. That's it. This is the only way to save the country, and therefore it is an ironclad condition for the next government. A government that does not draft Chareidim and fix Israel has no right to exist."

Avigdor Liberman's Yisrael Beiteinu party also rejected Cohen's proposal, stating it would oppose exemptions at any significant level. "In the next government, everyone will serve in the IDF. There will be no exemption, not for 30% and not for 3%," The party said.

The public disagreement highlight substantial divisions among parties seeking to form an alternative government, with Eisenkot's party backing at least some exemptions for Chareidi yeshiva students while Bennett and Liberman are demanding a more expansive draft policy.