Bennett says no coalition with Haredi factions: 'Door shut to draft dodgers'

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett stated he would not form a government with Haredi parties that support military service exemptions for yeshiva students, emphasizing that "The door is locked to anyone who supports draft evasion." He believes the issue of Haredi draft exemptions is an existential threat to Israel, noting that "The most serious problem threatening the future of the Jewish state in the Land of Israel is the fact that 15% of the public already lives within a separate and disconnected Haredi state." Bennett also rejected a proposal by Gadi Eisenkot to exempt 3% of each draft cohort for Torah study, calling it a "crazy mistake" that would be exploited by Haredi leaders. United Torah Judaism, however, has indicated it is open to coalition negotiations with any party willing to meet its demands on this issue, stating, "We are in the bloc of the Torah world, and we will go with whoever meets our demands on this issue."