Don’t abandon reservists: Compromises must not allow for haredi draft issue to continue - editorial

This week appears to be filled with political surprises. On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump announced he would cease providing military aid to Israel by the end of the year. However, Israel's Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Liberman's willingness to make compromises on haredi (ultra-Orthodox) conscription to join Gadi Eisenkot's government is certainly noteworthy.

Liberman's reputation is built on his refusal to compromise on haredi conscription, which led to Netanyahu's failure to form a government in 2019 and a series of elections. Liberman had previously advocated for denying the vote to those who avoid military duty, and promised to treat those who serve equally and those who evade differently.

His campaign slogan was a clear promise to provide full support to those who serve and none to those who evade.

Allowing haredi parties to veto meaningful conscription would prevent any hope of solving the issue. Compromising on coalition partners is normal, but allowing those parties to veto key policies undermines any realistic chance of forming a functioning government. The election brought a difficult hand to the table, forcing all parties to make concessions.

However, haredi conscription was more than just another campaign promise for Liberman. It represented a central part of his identity, and the change bloc repeatedly attacked Netanyahu for relying on parties that defended draft evasion. Compromise on coalition partners is one thing, but preserving an unequal distribution of the security burden is another.

The IDF has reported a shortage of around 12,000 soldiers, including up to 7,500 combat troops. Without more recruits, the burden falls on reservists, their families, and employers. These people cannot continue to sacrifice their jobs, income, and time. A government that protects exemptions will place an unbearable burden on reservists and their families.

The test is whether an agreement brings additional soldiers into the army within a reasonable timeframe, with consequences for failing to meet it. If it only repackages exemptions, it is a capitulation. Liberman's enmity toward Netanyahu is well-known, but replacing him should not mean leaving reservists and their families with the same intolerable burden.

An emergency unity government without the ultra-Orthodox parties, Arab parties, or the extremes on either side could be a solution. This government would have the strength to address both haredi conscription and judicial reform without giving parties opposed to compromise a veto. However, this agreement would be difficult to achieve, and positions may change over the next few weeks.

The key is to set a boundary: a government in which haredi parties can veto meaningful conscription must be ruled out. Otherwise, politicians will deepen public cynicism about the meaninglessness of pre-election promises.