Bennett's obstacle to negotiations with haredi parties
Naftali Bennett's 'Together' party has introduced the 'Service Members Law' in the Knesset, which aims to redirect state funding toward IDF reservists and those in the workforce. The bill proposes significant financial benefits for soldiers, potentially reducing subsidies for haredi families who do not meet service or employment requirements.
Why it matters
This legislation reflects ongoing tensions in Israeli politics regarding the balance between religious exemptions and the burden of national military service.
Naftali Bennett’s "Together" party submitted its first bill as the 26th Knesset was sworn in, seeking to change government funding priorities and redirect resources from households that do not participate in military service and employment toward those serving in the IDF.
The bill was submitted as Yisrael Beytenu chairman MK Avigdor Liberman has left open the possibility of including the haredi parties in a government led by Gadi Eisenkot, amid discussion of a compromise on haredi enlistment.
Dubbed the “Service Members Law," the bill goes beyond financial benefits for soldiers and reservists, seeking instead to change the criteria for allocating state funds. The changes would potentially affect subsidies and support currently available to haredi families that do not meet the service and employment requirements..
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