Former IDF Chief of Staff and Yashar Party chairman Gadi Eisenkot says he supports exempting a small percentage of outstanding Torah scholars from military service, opposes proposals to revoke voting rights from chareidim, and would consider bringing Shas into a future coalition if it accepts his core governing principles.

In an extensive interview with Kikar HaShabbat’s Yishai Cohen, Eisenkot discussed the draft law, relations with the chareidi community, Israel’s security challenges, coalition politics, and his campaign to become Israel’s next prime minister.

Draft Law: ‘I’m a Ben-Gurionist’

Addressing the increasingly contentious debate over military service for yeshiva students, Eisenkot rejected calls for eliminating all exemptions.

“I am a Ben-Gurionist,” he said. “Unlike some of my colleagues, I will not say ‘zero exemptions.’ During the War of Independence, Ben-Gurion insisted that 400 yeshiva students continue learning despite the existential war.”

He said he supports granting exemptions to approximately 3% of each draft-age class made up of outstanding Torah scholars.

“I have great respect for the Torah world,” Eisenkot said. “Saying there should be ‘zero learners’ is a populist and unserious statement.”

He also criticized proposals to deny voting rights to chareidim who do not serve.

“Anyone who says chareidim should lose their right to vote is undermining the basic values of democracy.”

At the same time, Eisenkot argued that Israel can no longer tolerate widespread exemptions for those who are not engaged in full-time Torah study.

“There are tens of thousands of chareidim who are not learning in yeshivos. They should have enlisted immediately. The IDF desperately needs soldiers.”

Service Without Compromising Religious Life

Eisenkot pledged that, if elected, his government would ensure that chareidi soldiers can serve without sacrificing their religious lifestyle.

“The responsibility belongs to the IDF,” he said. “A chareidi should enlist as a chareidi and be discharged as a chareidi.”

He pointed to the establishment of dedicated military facilities during his tenure as IDF chief of staff and voiced support for expanding frameworks such as the Hashmonaim Brigade.

“I fully support separate bases, separate units, and missions designed specifically for chareidim. Those who prefer integrated service can choose that, but it should be a personal decision.”

Asked whether he still supports the principle that those genuinely learning Torah should continue studying while those who are not should serve, Eisenkot replied, “Absolutely. We need to define who qualifies as a full-time learner and how many there should be. Those who are not learning should enlist.”

Opposition to Coercion, But Support for Enforcement

When reminded that he previously told Kikar HaShabbat that chareidim could not be drafted through force alone, Eisenkot reiterated that dialogue remains important but emphasized that Israel already has a mandatory service law.

“The basic rule is that there is a compulsory military service law for Israel’s young people,” he said. “Given the existential threats facing the country, everyone must contribute.”

He again stressed that the military must provide all necessary accommodations for religious observance.

Open to Shas Joining His Government

Although often viewed as part of the political opposition to the chareidi parties, Eisenkot declined to rule out Shas as a coalition partner.

“Shas has broad Zionist components,” he said. “Many of its voters serve in the army. I see Shas as a potential partner—provided it accepts my three core principles.”

He noted that his own mother voted for Shas for 30 years.

“I’m the son of a mother who voted Shas for three decades,” he said with a smile. “I’ve finally convinced her to vote for Yashar.”

Asked about his relationship with Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, Eisenkot described him as someone who has often made meaningful contributions on security matters.

“I saw Aryeh Deri contribute significantly in many security cabinets,” he said.

However, he criticized Deri’s opposition to a stronger military response following Iran’s first direct missile attack on Israel.

“I believed we should have responded much more forcefully. Unfortunately, his position prevailed, and the response was far too weak.”

Eisenkot also said Deri should have taken a stronger stand in favor of hostage deals instead of allowing Ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir to dominate the debate.

Despite those disagreements, he said Deri could serve in a future war cabinet under his leadership.

“Absolutely—provided he accepts the three basic principles.”

Calls for Justice Minister’s Dismissal

Eisenkot sharply criticized the justice minister after recent comments urging noncompliance with a High Court ruling.

“This is unprecedented,” he said. “It’s like a defense minister telling soldiers not to obey the chief of staff.”

He argued that Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu should have dismissed the minister immediately.

“A serious prime minister would have fired him this afternoon.”

Although critical of the current judicial controversy, Eisenkot said he supports meaningful reforms to Israel’s legal system.

“The fact that only 42% of Israelis trust the judiciary requires deep examination and reform.”

Security Challenges

Turning to regional security, Eisenkot argued that despite significant military successes against Iran, Israel has not yet achieved its strategic objectives.

“The enriched uranium is still in Iran. The missile program has been rebuilt. Hezbollah has recovered. Those are facts.”

He warned that Israel and the United States must continue working together to ensure Iran never acquires nuclear weapons and to sever Tehran’s ties with Hezbollah.

Asked whether Israel has won the war that began with Hamas’ October 7 attack three years ago, Eisenkot answered bluntly.

“No. Victory is measured by achieving the objectives of the war and improving Israel’s strategic position. We achieved important accomplishments, but we did not complete the political dimension in Gaza, Lebanon, or Iran.”

Rejects Allegations of Weakness on Security

Responding to Likud campaign videos portraying him as weak on national security, Eisenkot dismissed the attacks as misleading.

Regarding claims that he opposed eliminating Iran’s supreme leader, he said critics had deliberately omitted the rest of his remarks.

“I said clearly that eliminating Khamenei would have been entirely justified, and I would have approved eliminating him and the entire Iranian military leadership.”

He also rejected claims that he sought to reduce the size of the IDF or opposed the Rafah operation, calling both allegations false.

Coalition Plans

Eisenkot expressed confidence that his party can emerge as the largest faction in the next election and assemble a governing majority.

If his bloc falls short of 61 seats, he said he would first seek partners from Zionist parties rather than relying on Arab parties.

When asked whether he would choose Arab parties or chareidi parties if forced to decide, Eisenkot said any party willing to accept his three foundational principles would be welcome.

Those principles, he said, are recognition of Israel as a Jewish state with a solid Jewish majority, acceptance of the Declaration of Independence, and support for national or military service.

Concern Over Election Integrity

Eisenkot concluded the interview by expressing concern over the integrity of Israel’s upcoming elections, saying recent attacks on the judiciary undermine public confidence.

“I am very concerned,” he said. “When the justice minister calls for ignoring a High Court ruling signed by the chairman of the Central Elections Committee, that raises a red flag.”

He urged Israelis to remain vigilant against intimidation or attempts to undermine the electoral process.

“Anyone who harms the integrity of the elections will find the people of Israel standing against them like a fortified wall.”

Asked whether he expects to return for another interview in six months as prime minister, Eisenkot replied, “I’m doing everything I can to make that happen. I work hard, not because I’m chasing power, but because I believe I can lead the country, and I’ll do everything possible to achieve that.”

{Matzav.com