MK Oded Forer
MK Oded ForerFlash 90

The haredi parties' opposition to the proposed "Draft Law" only hurts themselves, MK Oded Forer (Yisrael Beytenu) said.

Forer is a member of the committee responsible for drafting the law, which would maintain the program of draft deferments for haredi yeshiva students while increasing sanctions on those who refuse to serve, expanding benefits for draftees, and punishing yeshivas whose student bodies fail to meet the government’s enlistment quotas.

Speaking in an interview with Kol Barama Radio, Forer said, "Our partners are making a mistake. This is a situation in which the haredi parties are making themselves dependent on the Supreme Court, which may completely reject the law and force everyone to draft."

"Unfortunately, the ones setting the tone right now are members of the Jerusalem Faction. Two years ago, this law would have passed easily, and even been applauded by the public."

Forer also said there was some room to change the law, but it would not be canceled altogether.

"We will only support a law that the defense system supports," he said. "We will not allow exercises to change it. They've already tried to insert a few changes, but we're standing by our principles."