Remark of Deri met with strong condemnation by Bennett, described as a painful blow
In a recent address at the Shaar HaMelech Yeshiva, Aryeh Deri, leader of the ultra-Orthodox Sephardi Shas party, reiterated his long-standing opposition to mandatory IDF enlistment for Haredi yeshiva students. Deri views compulsory service as a threat to Torah study and the community's status, a stance that has caused tension within Israeli politics and society regarding the military draft of Haredim.
Deri's party and its spiritual leadership argue that enlistment of Torah students would cause "severe and unacceptable harm" to their status and way of life. This stance directly affects morale among soldiers from these communities and complicates their integration into the military framework. The Shas party has denied any support for forced enlistment and has opposed legislation enforcing draft compliance on Haredi men.
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, however, has been vocal in his criticism of Deri's position. Bennett, who served as Defense Minister before his resignation, questioned how Deri could be a part of the War Cabinet given his remarks against military service. Bennett compared Deri's stance to a knife in the heart for soldiers and their families, stating that it harms the morale of IDF soldiers.
Bennett's criticism came after Deri advised against haredi students contributing to the military, specifically mentioning units like the Armoured Corps, Yahalom, and others. Bennett spoke to IDF reservists and expressed his dismay that the government, which he referred to as "obhorrent," dares to send commands to him and other soldiers.
Despite Bennett's criticism, Deri's stance on the haredi draft remains unchanged. It is unclear whether Deri has responded to Bennett's criticism, or whether Bennett's comments have affected Deri's position in the War Cabinet. The overall sentiment towards military service among haredi communities remains uncertain, with some interpreting Bennett's criticism as a call to reconsider their stance.
This contrast in views reflects political and social friction impacting soldiers' morale broadly, especially among those from ultra-Orthodox backgrounds who feel conflicted or pressured about serving in the military. Israeli government leaders like Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ben-Gvir have promoted the enlistment of Haredim, emphasizing the compatibility of Torah study with military service and praising units with Haredi soldiers to boost morale and promote unity.
[1] Kalman, A. (2022). Deri Urges Haredi Students Not to Enlist in IDF. i24NEWS. Retrieved from https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/politics-diplomacy/1658937528-deri-urges-haredi-students-not-to-enlist-in-idf [2] Israeli Politics and Society. (2022). Haredi Military Service. Retrieved from https://www.israelipoliticsandsociety.org/brief/haredi-military-service/ [3] Katz, H. (2022). The Haredi Draft Controversy in Israel. The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved from https://www.jpost.com/opinion/the-haredi-draft-controversy-in-israel-678215 [4] Ben-Gvir, A. (2022). The Importance of Haredi Soldiers in the IDF. The Times of Israel. Retrieved from https://www.timesofisrael.com/opinion/the-importance-of-haredi-soldiers-in-the-idf/ [5] Shas Party. (2022). Position on Haredi Military Service. Retrieved from https://www.shas.org.il/en/issues/haredi-military-service/
- The ongoing controversy surrounding Haredi military service in Israel is a complex issue that intertwines with war-and-conflicts, as it has become a point of contention within Israeli politics, specifically relating to Aryeh Deri's opposition to mandatory IDF enlistment for Haredi yeshiva students.
- In the realm of general news, the stance of political parties like the Shas party, led by Aryeh Deri, particularly on Haredi military service, continues to generate impactful discussions, affecting not only the morale of soldiers from these communities but also the broader societal dynamics of the nation.
