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.

Analysis: The Controversial Haredi Draft Bill and Its Potential Implications

The ongoing debate surrounding the haredi conscription bill has reached a critical juncture, with significant opposition from various political factions. Yair Lapid’s harsh criticism of the draft bill as a “shameful draft-avoidance law” encapsulates the frustration felt by many who view the legislation as a betrayal of the soldiers who have sacrificed for the nation. His comments are especially poignant in the context of the heavy casualties sustained by the Israeli military in recent conflicts, including more than 900 deaths and over 20,000 wounded.

However, the bill’s supporters, led by MK Boaz Bismuth, argue that the proposed framework is a necessary step toward integrating the haredi community into national service. They assert that the draft bill is designed in cooperation with the army and offers measurable targets, but the reality is that many see it as insufficient, lacking the teeth to enforce true conscription. Former committee chair MK Yuli Edelstein points out that the legislation, as it stands, will not meet the goal of mandatory enlistment.

Opposition voices, including that of Yisrael Beiteinu, have characterized the bill as an insult to all IDF soldiers, accusing the government of complicity in undermining the efforts of those serving. The bill’s failure to address the pressing manpower shortages within the military is a central point of contention, with critics arguing that the proposal does little to alleviate the army’s acute need for combat soldiers.

The continued delay of the bill’s progress underscores the challenges of balancing political considerations with security needs. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior government figures have largely stayed out of the debate, leaving committee members to manage the issue without clear direction from the top. This lack of leadership has only fueled skepticism about the bill's effectiveness and its long-term consequences.

In light of the High Court's recent ruling that the government cannot continue to fund yeshiva institutions without enforcing conscription, there is mounting pressure for a meaningful legislative solution. With the court’s deadline fast approaching, the government must act swiftly to address both the legal and security challenges at hand, ensuring that the proposed draft law can withstand both legal scrutiny and practical implementation.

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• Minister Ofir Sofer: I will vote against haredi draft even if Netanyahu fires me from gov't