Netanyahu calls Haredi politician who is protesting draft dodger arrests

A spokesman for United Torah Judaism MK Meir Porush confirms reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the Hasidic lawmaker to ask after his well-being, as he stages a partial hunger strike over the issue of ultra-Orthodox conscription.

Porush set up shop outside the Justice Ministry late last week to protest the arrest of yeshiva students who evaded military draft orders, declaring in a statement that he intended to move his office’s activities to a tent outside the ministry and to forgo food for nine hours a day.

The Haredi politician launched his protest in response to increased government efforts to send out and enforce draft orders for ultra-Orthodox men which have led to the arrest of several yeshiva students.

UTJ last month bolted Netanyahu’s coalition to protest the lack of movement on a law aimed at exempting yeshiva students from military or national service.

According to national broadcaster Kan, Netanyahu asked ministers during today’s cabinet meeting why Porush had begun the hunger strike.

Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi told him that it was because Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara “is persecuting Torah students” and “abusing the ultra-Orthodox.”

Karhi is a leading figure in the cabinet’s push to fire the attorney general, though her ouster has been frozen by a High Court injunction.

According to Hebrew media reports, Karhi visited Porush yesterday, telling him that Baharav-Miara was motivated by a desire to “cause conflict between us” rather than by a sincere wish to conscript Haredim.

Baharav-Miara is trying to harm Torah students “and I am sure that we will defeat” these efforts, Karhi reportedly said.

A spokesman for Netanyahu does not reply to a request for comment.