Deserters Released to Celebrations as Lieberman Slams Coalition Partners
Eight military deserters were released from Prison 10 to celebrations, sparking outrage amid a terror attack. MK Goldknopf defended yeshiva students, while MK Lieberman sharply criticized the coalition.
Hours after a terror attack on Route 35, celebrations were recorded outside Military Prison 10 on Friday following the release of eight military deserters from detention.
Friends and rabbis waited outside the facility to welcome them. The incident occurred a day after MK Yitzhak Goldknopf of United Torah Judaism made controversial remarks regarding the issue of ultra-Orthodox deserters.
Asked in an interview with Kol Berama radio about a proposal to integrate yeshiva students into border service, Goldknopf replied: "It might be a good proposal, but we must first solve the issue of yeshiva budgets and day-care subsidies." Regarding imprisoned ultra-Orthodox deserters, he added: "We have many wounded, young men who were harmed by being sent to prison for the crime of studying Torah."
Yisrael Beytenu leader MK Avigdor Lieberman responded sharply: "On the day of a severe terrorist attack, when fighters risk their lives and prevent a much larger tragedy, deserters are released from prison and greeted with dancing and a red carpet. There is no limit to the detachment of the draft-dodgers; they are Bibi's partners—without them, he has no government."
