Bennett says no coalition with Haredi factions: 'Door shut to draft dodgers'

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett ruled out any coalition partnership with Haredi parties that support military service exemptions for yeshiva students.

The statement addressed recent signals from United Torah Judaism, particularly its Hasidic Agudat Yisrael faction, indicating willingness to negotiate with any government prepared to pass such legislation.

"The door is locked to anyone who supports draft evasion," Bennett, who chairs the Beyachad party, said in remarks to Kikar HaShabbat.

Bennett characterized the matter as fundamental to Israel's security. "The most serious problem threatening the future of the Jewish state in the Land of Israel is the fact that 15% of the public already lives within a separate and disconnected Haredi state," He said. "There is no point in forming a government that will not solve this existential problem. If we do not deal with it now, it will never happen."

He also objected to a military service proposal from Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot that would exempt 3% of each annual draft cohort for Torah study. "There will be no exception on this issue. Three percent is 30% of a Haredi draft cohort. There will be no frameworks and no allocations," Bennett stated.

Bennett suggested such exemptions would be exploited by Haredi political leadership. "Gafni and Deri will once again twist the arm of the politician of the moment, and it will end with nothing," He said.

United Torah Judaism representatives have indicated they are not bound to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political bloc, with MK Yaakov Asher stating: "There is no discussion of a bloc. We are in the bloc of the Torah world, and we will go with whoever meets our demands on this issue."