A controversial draft bill has sparked intense debate, with key figures in the Knesset raising concerns about its effectiveness in meeting the army's demands. The proposal, which allows up to 10% of annual conscripts to serve in various agencies, has been met with skepticism.
Miri Frenkel-Shor, the legal adviser to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, highlighted a critical issue: the inclusion of national civil-security service in draft targets. She argued that this approach falls short of addressing security needs and thus cannot be easily incorporated into quotas.
"The civil-security service track, open only to Haredi educational institution graduates, violates equality principles," Frenkel-Shor wrote. "It differs fundamentally from military service, being shorter, voluntary, and without reserve duty."
Committee Chairman Boaz Bismuth's draft proposal states that civil service in auxiliary units of the Prime Minister's Office, including the Shin Bet, Mossad, Israel Prison Service, and police, would be considered service.
Under the bill's targets, 8,160 young men would be recruited for military and civil service in the first year, with numbers fluctuating in subsequent years. From the fifth year onward, 50% of Haredi graduates would be recruited, with civil-service recruits counted up to a 10% limit.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in his first direct address on the draft-exemption bill, voiced support. He accused the opposition of hypocrisy, stating, "You brought a law of evasion. You do not want conscription."
However, the Bismuth bill continues to divide the coalition, with ministers and lawmakers opposing it. Some, like Absorption and Immigration Minister Ofir Sofer, are willing to risk their positions, while Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel has organized protests. Shas and Degel HaTorah have made the bill's passage a condition for supporting the 2026 budget.
Separately, the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee approved Defense Minister Yoav Gallant's request to extend emergency reserve mobilization, drawing criticism from opposition MKs.
This complex situation raises questions: Can the draft bill effectively integrate the Haredi public into service? How will the opposition's stance impact the bill's progress? Join the discussion and share your thoughts on this controversial issue.
