Minister Ofir Sofer: I will oppose haredi draft even if Netanyahu dismisses me from government

Opposition leader Yair Lapid denounced the newly proposed haredi draft legislation as a "shameful draft-avoidance law" and a "betrayal of our soldiers," referencing those who have fought and sacrificed in recent conflicts.

Religious Zionist Minister Ofir Sofer declared on Monday that he would oppose the draft bill even if it led to his dismissal from the government, describing it as "disgraceful." Sofer highlighted the heavy burden on reserve soldiers, many of whom are Torah-observant, and noted that the effects of the recent war will be felt for decades. He promised to rally party colleagues to vote against the law.

Yisrael Beiteinu criticized the proposal, calling it "an insult to all IDF soldiers" and asserting that silence equates to complicity in betraying those serving.

The updated haredi conscription bill outline was presented to the Knessets Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Monday morning, marking a key step in moving the legislation forward. Committee chair MK Boaz Bismuth (Likud), who has been leading the bill's development, introduced the newly published draft.

The proposal has sparked criticism for its perceived ineffectiveness in enforcing haredi conscription amid ongoing military manpower shortages. Former committee chair MK Yuli Edelstein (Likud) told the panel, "This outline will not achieve conscription. If conscription is the goal, the bill must be entirely restructured."

The committee was filled with opposition lawmakers opposing the bill, while Bismuth defended it as a "clear, practical framework based on measurable targets and developed in cooperation with the army."

Lapid strongly criticized the legislation, stating to the panel, "Boaz, this proposal is a disgraceful draft-avoidance law and a betrayal of our soldiers. It undermines those who have sacrificed over the past two yearsmore than 920 killed and over 20,000 wounded." He added that key government figures, including the prime minister and defense minister, avoided participating in the discussion, leaving committee members to handle the issue alone.

Haredi Draft Bill Faces Delays and Court Pressure

Progress on the bill has been stalled due to a lack of approval from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the haredi parties. The committee session began with statements from bereaved family members urging swift legislation to ensure haredi enlistment.

Haggai Lober, father of fallen soldier Yonatan, warned the panel about the law's risks from security, social, and leadership perspectives. "The army needs combat soldiers, and this law does not meet those needs," he said. He added that the bill unfairly differentiates between citizens, undermining equal service to the state.

The two haredi parties left the government in July due to disagreements over a previous version of the draft law advanced by Edelstein. Following their departure, Bismuth took over the committee and presented a revised outline. Critics argue that the new bill still fails to enforce conscription, delays implementation, and seeks to appease haredi parties.

Earlier this month, the High Court ruled that the government cannot simultaneously avoid drafting tens of thousands of yeshiva students while continuing to fund their institutions. The court ordered a genuine enforcement plan to be created within 45 days.

Author: Sophia Brooks