Smotrich says party ‘will not compromise’ on draft bill, demands ‘real enlistment’ of Haredim

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich says that his Religious Zionism party “will not compromise on a conscription law that does not bring real change on the ground,” after lawmakers from his party said they could not support the legislation on the issue proposed today by Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman Boaz Bismuth.

But Smotrich also says his party will request changes to the law and may support it down the line.

Speaking to the press after a faction meeting, Smotrich says that the party has confirmed that it “will vote only for a law that will bring about the real and rapid enlistment of the ultra-Orthodox into the army, to meet the needs of the IDF and ease the burden on soldiers, reservists, and their families.”

The far-right leader says that the party is preparing comments for the bill and will “insist on their inclusion during the legislative process.” But he also appears to argue that it is better to support this “imperfect” bill than none at all.

“It’s possible to continue opposing any law because it isn’t perfect and remain without ultra-Orthodox enlistment for many more years,” Smotrich says. “Or one can demonstrate leadership and backbone, withstand some pressure, insist on the truly important issues, and bring about an agreed-upon framework that will enact a real revolution and, after 77 years of serious distortion, begin to correct it.”

Three of the seven MKs from Smotrich’s Religious Zionism party have publicly expressed opposition to the current law, including Moshe Solomon, Michal Woldiger, and Immigration Minister Ofir Sofer, who said earlier today that he would vote against the bill even if it cost him his cabinet post.