Finance Ministry said to warn no way to fund Haredi draft exemption plan

The government has no way to fund its Haredi-demanded plan to lower the exemption age for yeshiva students’ enlistment to the army, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has said according to the Kan public broadcaster, which cites an unnamed source familiar with the discussions.

IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi has made public comments against blanket exemptions and in favor of broad enlistment, with Kan saying this is against the backdrop of the treasury’s warning about the unfeasibility of the plan — which the Haredi parties are threatening to topple the government if it isn’t advanced before any further judicial legislation.

Kan adds that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised to publish the bill after the upcoming Jewish holiday period, which ends on October 7.