Gantz says he’ll answer Gallant’s call to advance bill aimed at drafting Haredim

War cabinet minister Benny Gantz welcomes Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s call to draft ultra-Orthodox Israelis, saying his National Unity party will work with the defense minister to promote legislation aimed at scrapping the blanket conscription exemptions currently enjoyed by Haredim.

“All parts of Israeli society should take part in the right to serve. This is a security, national, and social need,” Gantz says after Gallant’s press conference. “We will work together with Defense Minister Galant, with all factions of the Knesset and all parts of Israeli society to promote an Israeli service outline with broad agreement as soon as possible.”

Opposition chair Yair Lapid responds to Gallant by saying that his Yesh Atid party will be submitting Haredi conscription legislation next week. “It is egalitarian, efficient, and fair. All the Likud has to do is act like a Zionist party and vote for it. We can’t win together if we don’t fight together.”