Yishai: IDF doesn't want haredim

Interior minister speaks before Knesset plenum, warns against coercing haredi draft. 'Yeshiva world will not close down,' he says

Moran Azulay פורסם: 18.02.13, 18:19

Interior Minister Eli Yishai turned in a fervent plea to the Knesset plenum on Monday, urging his Habayit Hayehudi "brethren" to fight against the looming haredi draft, the coalition negotiations' hot potato.

"The Defense Ministry doesn't want many haredim in the IDF, and no one can dispute that," claimed Yishai.

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Therefore, said Yishai, many proposals on the haredi draft presented to the army are not realized.

Yishai added: "What's the question, really? Are we a people's army or not. We have to eat kosher, we need proper conditions, and whole range of things the State Comptroller said the army didn't fulfill for the haredi public."

Yishai clarified before the plenum that the coalition negotiations are not conducted like in the past.

"I turn to my brothers and sisters in the Habayit Hayehudi party – incitement against the haredi public will turn against our brethren in the settlements. It gets to everyone."

The Shas leader warned against a coalition from which Shas will be absent: "As someone who cares for the nation of Israel, I am familiar with the rifts in society, and these should be solved.

"Even a revolution isn't done in a day. The haredi society is undergoing significant changes, and those who think the yeshiva world can be closed down – that will not happen."

Yishai's political future is uncertain, as the coalition negotiations do not bode well for his party.

The minister has announced recently that Shas is willing to give up portfolios in order to solve the yeshiva students issue.

He explained: "We're doing everything, we have to get to the coalition, we're looking into every way to get there."

"We'll be willing to sit in government even without ministers if that could lead to a solution to the yeshiva world," Yishai added.

"It should be understood that we're not after seats, even though ministries are influential."