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Gallant urges passage of law to draft ultra-Orthodox into military

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
29 Feb 2024 00:01
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"The war has proved that everyone must go 'under the stretcher,'" the Security Minister said.

Israeli Minister of Security Yoav Gallant photographed on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, occupied Palestine (AP)

Israeli Minister of Security Yoav Gallant called on the regime on Wednesday to pass a law that would draft all segments of society, including ultra-Orthodox Jews, who are normally exempt from serving in the army.

"Today, there is a real national need for the extension of the service time of the standing army soldiers, and in extending the service period of the reservists," Gallant said at a press conference today.

"The war has proved that everyone must go 'under the stretcher,'" he added.

Referring to a resolution on Ultra-orthodox (Haredis) conscription, he said: "We are required to make agreements and decisions, which we haven’t made in 75 years."

As he called on members of the Knesset and the coalition to expedite a law on conscription, he said, "Our security challenges demonstrate that everyone must bear the burden of service. All parts of society," Gallant remarked, referring to the ultra-Orthodox community.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Gallant said that he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Benny Gantz, leaders of the ultra-Orthodox parties, and other coalition members, telling them that "it is possible and important to reach an agreed framework for a draft [law]."

"I call on the prime minister, to lead a joint course with all coalition factions, and reach the necessary agreements on the draft law. I hope there are also parts of the opposition that will join the framework that will be formulated," he said.

"This is not a partisan issue. It is not a sectoral matter. This is a national-security matter of utmost importance," he added.

Gantz promises to respond to Gallant's request to draft Haredim

Israeli security Minister Yoav Gallant's proposal to draft ultra-Orthodox Israelis was welcomed by War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz, who also said that his National Unity party will collaborate with Gallant to advance legislation that would eliminate the general conscription exemptions that are currently granted to the Haredim.

“All parts of Israeli society should take part in the right to serve. This is a security, national, and social need,” Gantz says after Gallant’s press conference.

In response to Gallant, opposition leader Yair Lapid states that his Yesh Atid party will present legislation for Haredi conscription the following week.

Heavy toll

The mobilization of 300,000 reservists has had an immense toll on the Israeli economy.

Amid its ongoing war on Gaza, the Israeli economy has taken a heavy toll as it contracted nearly 20 percent in annualized terms in Q4 2023.

Moreover, GDP fell by 19.4% compared to the previous quarter on an annualized basis and by 5.2% on a quarter-by-quarter basis, official data showed.

Three weeks ago, the Knesset passed a bill -- needing two more readings -- that would integrate more Ultra-Orthodox men in the military.

A Haredi journalist, Yanki Farber, suggests that if the bill comes into effect, it will be met with anger and opposition.

He said, "Every Orthodox mother is afraid that her child, who enrolls in the [IOF], will come out not as religious. It happened in my family too, when I decided to enlist and people were shocked at the sight of me wearing a uniform."

"Forcing Haredis will not work, and if the [IOF] really wants these 50,000 boys, it will need to think how to integrate them into the service", he added.