Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich acknowledged that blaming Chareidim for the burden on reservists is “a lie” and that imposing military conscription on the Chareidi public is not a practical solution.

Speaking at the Katif Conference for National Responsibility in Yad Binyamin, Smotrich rejected the claim that the Chareidi public is responsible for the burden placed on IDF reservists, echoing previous statements made by lawmakers and Rabbanim.

“There is no greater lie than saying that the burden on those serving depends on drafting Chareidim,” Smotrich said. “There are over 100,000 reservists who already served in the army, and the army has not succeeded in bringing them back into reserve duty.”

He also warned that arresting bnei yeshivos will not only fail to bring results but would instead deepen divisions within Israeli society. “Arrests cause Jews to physically fight each other on the roads,” he said. “We must recruit Chareidim, but it has to happen through agreement and through a gradual process.”

Smotrich also directed criticism at figures within the national camp, including members of his own party, whom he blamed for preventing the Chareidi draft law from advancing.

“We were on the verge of a historic breakthrough had the draft law passed,” he said. “Unfortunately, purists who wanted 100 percent instead of 90 percent prevented the law from being passed.”

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)