Edelstein says he ‘does not commit’ to agree with government on Haredi draft

By Sam Sokol 4 February 2025, 2:59 pm

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Sam 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"

Yuli Edelstein leads a Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem on February 3, 2025 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman Yuli Edelstein declares that he is under no obligation to agree with the position of the government on the issue of ultra-Orthodox enlistment.

Speaking during a debate on a Haredi conscription bill, Edelstein says that he “does not commit” to agreeing with the principles advanced by the defense minister and cabinet secretary in the committee.

Edelstein further rejects “conspiracy theories” that say the coalition will transfer the discussion to another committee.

Edelstein has previously dismissed Defense Minister Israel Katz’s plan to gradually increase the number of ultra-Orthodox recruits over the next seven years, stating that he “will not settle for a temporary solution or a process that will take many years.”