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Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Lapid says Netanyahu spearheading efforts to approve Haredi draft dodging
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleAriela Karmel is a political correspondent at The Times of Israel. She previously reported for Calcalist and Haaretz. She holds an MA in Middle Eastern and African History from Tel Aviv University and a BA in Political Science from the University of British Columbia.
Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is leading efforts to exempt thousands of ultra-Orthodox men from military service ahead of a key Likud faction vote today.
“This afternoon, Netanyahu will convene the members of his faction to vote to advance the draft dodging of thousands of healthy young people from the IDF,” Lapid says in a statement.
“He can no longer hide behind MKs Milwidsky, Vaturi, or Bismuth — this is on him. He owns it. He is the one leading and advancing this move — while our fighters are buckling under the burden,” he continues.
The Likud faction is set to vote later today on replacing MK Yuli Edelstein as chair of the influential Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, after MK Hanoch Milwidsky requested a vote. Milwidsky, along with fellow Likud MKs Nissim Vaturi, Boaz Bismuth, are among those vying for the position.
Edelstein has refused to advance the ultra-Orthodox draft exemption bill, leading the Haredi parties to quit the government last week.
The Times of Israel Community.