The New "Draft" Bill, A bluff at the time, and totally irrelevant after October 7th

Rabbi Uri Regev, CEO of Hiddush, explains that the current “Draft Bill” does not have the intention of enlisting yeshiva students

20/05/2024 10:18

Tags: Draft Bill ·  Yeshiva Students ·  October 7th ·  Rabbi Uri Regev

ultra-Orthodox protest against drafting to IDF photo: Yosi Zamir, Shatil Stock

Rabbi Uri Regev, CEO of Hiddush, in Kan radio interview responds to the artificial attempt to revive the 2022 “Draft Bill” and describes the reasons for the Haredi adamant refusal to enlist to the IDF and/or to do National Service.

Regev explains that the current bill is just another attempt to gain time in an attempt to halt the Supreme Court’s review and temporary injunctions and does not really have the intention of enlisting even one yeshiva student that does not want to serve. He describes the original bill as a bluff already at the time, and why it’s totally irrelevant now, after October 7th.

An awakening among the majority of the Jewish public, is likely to help in a positive transformation of the political map

Regev describes the sociological and theological background for his conclusion that unfortunately – no law will effectively force enlistment among Haredi, and therefore Israel has to take the resulting steps of cutting off both students and yeshivas from State funding and other civil benefits that they currently enjoy.

Regev concludes the interview pointing to the partial silver lining that this development offers: An unprecedented awakening and constructive anger among the majority of the Jewish public, that is likely to help in a positive transformation of the political map and greater public pressure to address and resolve the unholy bond between religion and state.

Listen to the interview