Opposition leader and Yesh Atid party chairman Yair Lapid addressed the Knesset on Monday, March 4, regarding legislation proposing a universal duty to serve one's country.
"In recent days, we've witnessed protests from ultra-Orthodox youth in the streets of Israel, proclaiming, 'We will die, but we will not join the army.' Let me be clear: You won't die if you don't enlist. Others will die protecting you. Soldiers are laying down their lives in the Gaza Strip and Judea and Samaria to ensure your safety. You can live comfortably, benefiting from state provisions, without risking your life," he stated.
Lapid highlighted the evolving reality surrounding the conscription of the ultra-Orthodox community.
"The truth is, there simply aren't enough soldiers. The State of Israel lacks the manpower to defend itself adequately. The concept of a 'small smart army' has proven untenable. To safeguard civilian lives, we require more soldiers," Lapid emphasized.
"The IDF urgently needs at least two additional ground divisions, possibly three. Proposals to extend regular service to three years raise concerns—what's next? Four years? Five years? Meanwhile, there's a substantial pool of healthy young individuals in the ultra-Orthodox community who can contribute to Israel's collective security efforts," he continued.
Lapid proposed a solution: "Today, approximately 66,000 ultra-Orthodox youth are eligible to serve in the security system. If just 10,000 of them are called up, there would be no need for extended military service. By engaging a quarter of ultra-Orthodox men aged 20-49 as reservists, we could restore the reserve service period to one month a year."
He clarified that this proposal doesn't conflict with religious studies.
"We respect the study of Torah—it enriches the soul and sharpens the mind. However, we reject the notion that Torah study contradicts communal responsibility. Ultra-Orthodox individuals won't die if they enlist, but if they abstain, others who defend Israel will pay the price. This cannot persist. The army needs them, the state needs them. Meanwhile, the government continues to do everything to enable their evasion. As long as this government remains in power, this problem will not be solved. There is no other source from which soldiers can be recruited aside from the ultra-Orthodox community," stated Yair Lapid.
Concluding his address, Lapid urged the Knesset to express a vote of no confidence in the government due to its failure to prioritize Israel's security over political considerations.
