'Desecrating religious Zionism': Bennett slams Smotrich as true architect of draft evasion law

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett criticized Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, calling him the "true architect of the draft evasion law" and accusing him of "desecrating religious Zionism." In an interview with 103FM, Bennett stated that Smotrich pushed for transferring billions to "draft-dodging haredim" and should be ashamed. He claimed that the government's new laws would transfer "tens of billions to healthy young Haredim" and that if 20% of the 100,000 haredim enlisted, there would be no manpower problem. Bennett proposed a "Service Law" to cancel draft exemptions, redirecting saved money to those who serve, including NIS 1 million for reservists' first homes and free daycare. He announced his return to politics to fix the state, economy, and the situation with the haredi community, aiming to increase Israel's GDP by NIS 70 billion annually by integrating haredim into employment and service.