The Same Old Edelstein: A Possible Reason for Netanyahu's 'U-Turn' on Ultra-Orthodox Draft

Concern over the polls or a final abandonment of the alliance with the ultra-Orthodox? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent a new message today, Sunday, regarding the ultra-Orthodox draft, titled: "We will legislate in the next government a full draft law that will meet the needs of the IDF." So, what is behind this new message after long months in which Netanyahu's coalition failed to heed IDF warnings that the proposed law does not meet the military's requirements?

One possible reason for this publication is the fear that Netanyahu's statements may affect political struggles within the right-wing bloc, particularly by strengthening the positions of Gilad Erdan against Yuli Edelstein—who was ousted from the party due to his opposition to the law and will not run with Likud—regarding the draft and the possibility of providing Netanyahu with the "61st finger" in future political maneuvers.

Erdan responded to Netanyahu's words on his X account: "No longer buying promises about a 'draft', no longer buying promises about 'unity'. We will not sit in a narrow government, of anyone."

"We will establish a broad national government"

Netanyahu stated in a closed discussion that the temporary detention law was intended to "lower the flames and increase the number of recruits from the ultra-Orthodox public," but admitted that the move did not achieve its goal.

According to Netanyahu, "in practice it did not succeed, and therefore there will be no such law in the next government." He added that after the elections, he intends to establish a "broad national government" that will pass a "full draft law that will meet the needs of the IDF." He also declared: "Whoever does not study Torah will be drafted—or go to prison."

"It is impossible to believe Netanyahu"

MK Chili Tropper was the first to respond to Netanyahu's words: "There is no limit to the cynicism. After almost three years of war, 966 fallen IDF soldiers, 24,000 wounded, hundreds of thousands of reserve orders sent, and a prime minister who refused again and again to pass a real draft law and sided with the ultra-Orthodox parties against the army's position—he now promises that this time he will really draft the ultra-Orthodox. It is simply impossible to believe him."

Chairman of Yeshar! Gadi Eisenkot stated: "The prime minister of the October 7th failure and evasion continues to excel in running away from responsibility and in fear. He is afraid of the results of his failures, he is afraid of not being elected again, he is afraid of a commission of inquiry. He is a-f-r-a-i-d."

"Out of fear, for the sake of staying in his chair and against the warnings of the Chief of Staff and the red flags during the war, Netanyahu passed a despicable evasion law just two weeks ago that weakens the IDF and the entire Israeli society. Netanyahu continues to disparage the public. The public will not buy this new spin, which originates from fear of the polls."

Former Prime Minister and Chairman of the "Beyachad" party, Naftali Bennett, warned: "Warning: pathetic spin ahead. After four years of preventing the draft of the ultra-Orthodox with his own body, ignoring the warnings of the Chief of Staff and the cries of reservists asking for reinforcements, Netanyahu thinks that this time the people of Israel will believe him."

MK Dan Illouz, who resigned from Likud due to his opposition to the evasion law, attacked: "Netanyahu, who surrendered time after time to every delusional demand of the ultra-Orthodox, thinks the public is stupid and is therefore briefing from 'closed conversations' that he is against the detention law and that in the next government he will promote a draft law that meets the needs of the IDF."

Chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu Avigdor Lieberman concluded: "Netanyahu continues to bullshit everyone and tries to divert the discourse from his failures. One thing is certain—he has no government without the evaders."