From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Bennett slams ‘despicable’ attempt by coalition to advance ‘anti-Zionist’ Haredi draft exemption law
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleSam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
Former prime minister Naftali Bennett slams “the desperate attempt by Netanyahu, Smotrich, and Deri to pass the despicable draft evasion law” after the coalition returned the controversial legislation to the Knesset this morning with a discussion in the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
“The government of Israel is fighting with the last of its strength to pass the anti-Zionist draft evasion law. With one hand, the evasion government sends our soldiers to fight in Lebanon, and with the other hand, stabs them in the back,” says Bennett.
“We will block them with all our might, replace them, and then repair all the destruction they have brought upon the people of Israel,” says Bennett, who is seen as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s main rival in the upcoming elections.
The Times of Israel Community.