Finance Ministry officials warn that financial sanctions will be ineffective in solving Haredi conscription issue

Senior Finance Ministry officials express opposition to the financial sanctions included in the government’s proposed ultra-Orthodox enlistment outline, arguing that they would be ineffective in persuading yeshiva students to join the IDF.

According to national broadcaster Kan, ministry officials object to the use of financial penalties on yeshivas that fail to meet whatever enlistment quota is ultimately approved and say that only sanctions on individuals will have the desired effect.

In addition, officials believe that offering positive incentives is discriminatory, Kan reports.

Netanyahu released an amended version of the draft text on Monday following pushback from within his coalition and a warning by Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara that she would be unable to defend the initial proposal in court.

According to Hebrew media reports on Tuesday morning, the attorney general requested revisions to the original proposal to include annual recruitment targets in pursuit of a “significant and gradual increase” in enlistment by yeshiva students and graduates of ultra-Orthodox educational institutions.

Channel 12 and Ynet reported that the attorney general has requested that the recruitment target figures be included in the legislation, while ultra-Orthodox parties reject that proposal.

After members of his government expressed strong objections to the plan, Netanyahu postponed a planned cabinet discussion on the issue and instead entered into marathon talks within his coalition on the controversial reform.