Liberman blasts ultra-Orthodox draft bills as ‘parody’

Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman doubles down on his opposition to the ultra-Orthodox parties’ bills granting exemptions to Haredi soldiers from military service.

“We are not against the ultra-Orthodox, says” Liberman. But, he adds, “everyone, not just the ultra-Orthodox, but the Arabs too, must contribute to the state in which they live.”

“To pass a law in three readings in one week is not legislation, it’s theft… instead of a law, we’ll get a parody,” he says, again reiterating his party will only support the Defense Ministry’s proposed legislation on the ultra-Orthodox draft.

Telling the ultra-Orthodox parties to “calm down,” he says Haredi lawmakers “also know you can’t pass a law in a week.”

But Liberman, at the weekly Yisrael Beytenu faction meeting, stresses that his party is not seeking new elections and expresses hope the ultra-Orthodox parties will back down on their demands.

“We have no interest in breaking up the coalition,” says Liberman repeatedly. “I haven’t met anyone who voluntarily gives up the [job] of defense minister.”

He allows that if the ultra-Orthodox parties advance their bills in three readings into law, “we will have no choice but to get up and make a decision.”

The defense minister also opines that Netanyahu is not seeking snap elections right now.

“I don’t think Netanyahu, right now, is looking for a reason to break up the government.”

— Marissa Newman