"Cheap populism": Yair Golan on the ultra-Orthodox draft

During a panel discussion held about a month ago at the Molad Institute, Democrats party chairman Yair Golan made sharp remarks regarding the public discourse on the ultra-Orthodox draft. He claimed the topic has become a victim of "cheap populism" and emphasized that the IDF is not prepared to absorb thousands of draftees who require special conditions, such as gender separation and intensive guidance, as shown in a video published by Dvir Loger.

Golan addressed the complex reality surrounding attempts to formulate a draft law, clarifying that passing such legislation will not solve structural problems on the ground. In his remarks, he criticized the characteristics of the ultra-Orthodox population in a military context:

"There is no issue that is as much a victim of cheap populism as the ultra-Orthodox draft. Even if a groundbreaking law were passed tomorrow morning, we would still need to create conditions for gender separation for thousands of people in every draft cycle."

Continuing his remarks, Golan referred to the gaps in capabilities and motivation within this demographic:

"We do not want a public lacking education, motivation, or physical ability. The fundamental principle should be that every boy and girl at age 18 or 19, with or without a year of service, gives the country at least one year. The army will not grow according to the size of the draft cycles; it is simply not reasonable."