Deri accuses IDF chief of election interference for opposing ban on arresting draft dodgers

Shas chairman Aryeh Deri accused IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir of election interference for opposing a new law that freezes the arrest of ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers. Deri claimed Zamir "lost it" and was trying "to help the left-wing bloc during an election campaign." The law, passed by a 58-54 vote, grants immunity from arrest to tens of thousands of Haredi draft evaders until January 2027. However, the High Court of Justice froze the law's implementation the day after it passed, scheduling a hearing for July 28. Deri stated, "We do not recognize its authority; it no longer has any authority over us." IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin defended Zamir, stating that criticizing the chief of staff in an "irrelevant manner" harms the entire army. Opposition figures, including former prime minister Naftali Bennett and Opposition Leader Yair Lapid, also condemned Deri's remarks.