Top Arab MK Odeh slams Haredi IDF draft law, citing opposition to mandatory consription

Sam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"

MK Ayman Odeh speaks during a faction meeting, at the Knesset in Jerusalem, on February 6, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
MK Ayman Odeh speaks during a faction meeting, at the Knesset in Jerusalem, on February 6, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Hadash-Ta’al party chairman Ayman Odeh reiterates his opposition to the enlistment law coming up for a vote in the Knesset plenum this evening, hours after tweeting that he would not “lend a hand to the continuation of Netanyahu’s rule” by supporting the legislation.

Addressing the Arab-majority party’s weekly faction meeting in the Knesset, Odeh states that he opposes mandatory service and “is in favor of peace,” adding that it is imperative to do everything possible to topple a government that he alleged has “committed crimes against humanity in Gaza and killed 15,000 children.”

If eventually approved, the legislation would lower the age of exemption from mandatory service for Haredi yeshiva students from the current 26 to 21 and “very slowly” increase the rate of ultra-Orthodox conscription.

In addition to Hadash-Ta’al, the opposition’s Yesh Atid, Yisrael Beytenu and Ra’am parties have also come out against the bill.

Most Popular
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.