Israeli opposition leaders on Tuesday launched a fierce attack on Benjamin Netanyahu’s government for its “complete silence” over harsh statements and insults made during a Haredi demonstration on Monday evening, including that “the army teaches the most heinous sins and Israel is unclean.”
The criticism came against the backdrop of escalating controversy over the recruitment of Haredim into the Israeli army, which is suffering from a numerical shortage and has been waging an offensive on multiple fronts for more than a thousand days.
Hundreds of Haredim demonstrated in Bnei Brak to protest the arrest of religious men for refusing military service.
During the demonstration, Rabbi Aryeh Yazdi attacked the Chief of Staff and called on yeshiva students not to respond to recruitment calls.
Yedioth Ahronoth quoted Yazdi as saying during the demonstration: “The army teaches people to commit the most heinous sins in this unclean state. This entire army came to defile the name of God.”
Then Zamir cursed, saying: “May the name of the damned Chief of Staff be erased from memory… Beware of falling into this trap. Beware of going to the army.”
For his part, former Sephardic Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef said the gathering was organized “to protest against the judges and all unjust authorities.”
He added during the demonstration: “When a student from religious seminaries is imprisoned in a shameful manner, it is a disgrace to the honor of the Torah. That is why we have gathered.”
Rabbi Shabtai Levi said that “the reason we have not defeated Hamas and Hezbollah is the lack of respect for the Torah.”
Cowardly government
Criticizing the move, opposition leader Yair Lapid said via the “X” platform on Tuesday: “The Haredim are inciting against our soldiers and shedding the blood of the Chief of Staff.”
He continued: “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the ministers are maintaining complete silence. Not a word of condemnation, not a single arrest warrant for incitement to violence. This government is a bunch of cowards.”
Netanyahu is counting on political support from the ultra-Orthodox parties, so he is seeking understandings with them regarding the legislation they are demanding, most notably exempting the ultra-Orthodox from military service, which the opposition rejects.
Noting that Rabbi Yazdi receives a large salary from the state, former Prime Minister and leader of the opposition “Together” party, Naftali Bennett, said via “X” on Tuesday: “In the next government, we will put an end to this.”
He added: “The rule is simple: whoever teaches against Zionism and Israel will not receive a single shekel from the state. Whoever chooses not to serve will not receive a shekel.”
Government of tax evaders
Former Defense Minister and leader of the opposition Yisrael Beiteinu party, Avigdor Lieberman, pointed on Tuesday to “unbridled incitement against Israel, the Chief of Staff and the army at the gathering of draft dodgers, with the participation of Knesset members from the ruling coalition.”
He considered this to be “a national disgrace and a direct result of the government of draft dodgers, which chose to give them political support to maintain power, even at the expense of the army and the destruction of society.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said via “X” on Tuesday: “Even in times of sharp disagreements, there is no place for insults, slander, or offensive language, especially when it comes to the Commander-in-Chief of the Army and our soldiers.”
He added: “Leaders are required to adopt a responsible and respectful tone. I condemn these actions in the strongest terms, and I call on everyone to act with respect and responsibility.”
The Haredim continue their protests against military service following the Supreme Court’s decision on June 25, 2024, to require them to enlist and to prevent financial assistance from being provided to religious institutions whose students refuse military service.
The voices of senior rabbis, whose words are seen as religious edicts for the Haredim, are rising, calling for the rejection of conscription and even the "tearing up" of summons orders.
The Haredim make up about 13 percent of Israel's population of over 10 million, and they refuse military service on the grounds that they dedicate their lives to studying the Torah and that integration into secular society threatens their religious identity.
For decades, the Haredim have been able to avoid conscription when they reach the age of 18 by obtaining repeated deferments under the pretext of studying in religious seminaries, until they reach the age of exemption from service, which is currently 26 years.
