Ultra-orthodox (haredi) draft evaders who do not study Torah will either "enlist or go to prison," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a closed-door meeting, Israeli public broadcaster KAN News reported on Sunday.
Further, KAN reported that Netanyahu acknowledged the draft law was unsuccessful and that it would not be brought back in the next government.
Netanyahu said that the law freezing the draft dodger arrests was meant to be only a temporary solution, intended to "lower the flames and increase the number of recruits among the Haredi public," according to KAN.
"The prime minister of the October 7 failure and the draft evasion crisis continues to excel at avoiding responsibility and acting out of fear. He is afraid of the consequences of his failures, afraid of not being re-elected, afraid of a commission of inquiry. He is afraid," former IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot stated.
"Netanyahu, for four years you blocked a genuine conscription law. With your own hands, you strengthened draft dodgers and deserters at the expense of those who serve. You had so many opportunities to rise to the occasion - to be a leader. You failed."
This is a developing story.