Internal protests mask political games, Israel stands firm while Palestinian terror and Arab hostility fail.
United Torah Judaism MK Moshe Gafni accused activists demanding the drafting of haredim into the IDF of pursuing political upheaval rather than genuine military integration. Speaking on public radio, Gafni argued that the protests are designed to destabilize the government, not to strengthen Israel’s armed forces.
According to Gafni, the draft issue has become a reusable political weapon, surfacing whenever it serves those seeking to undermine the coalition. He noted that demonstrations began well before the current war and follow a pattern in which only effective pressure points are kept alive, regardless of substance.
While avoiding firm commitments on enlistment quotas or the definition of Torato Omanuto, Gafni stressed that Torah scholars themselves have ruled that exemptions should not apply to those who do not actively study. He emphasized that his voting decisions would ultimately follow guidance from leading Torah authorities.
Addressing coalition dynamics, Gafni made clear that responsibility lies with Benjamin Netanyahu. If Netanyahu confronts challenges decisively, Gafni said, the government will endure. If not, its survival is uncertain.
As Israel confronts Palestinian terrorism and hostile Arab forces beyond its borders, Gafni’s remarks frame the draft debate as an internal political struggle—one that, in his view, should not weaken national unity while Israel’s enemies remain unchanged.
