Shas Deri : IDF chief Eyal Zamir helping the Left with haredi draft stance

What Happened

Shas Party leader Arye Deri accused IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir of 'attempting to help the left-wing bloc' and 'causing damage to the military' after Zamir warned against legislation advanced by Deri’s party to freeze arrests of haredi draft evaders. In a Thursday interview with Kikar Hashabbat, Deri said Zamir 'has no business involving himself in politics' and set a 'dangerous precedent.' The remarks followed the Knesset’s passage of the contentious bill, which temporarily halts arrests for haredi draft evasion for at least six months. The High Court of Justice froze the law on Wednesday and will hear petitions to strike it down. Zamir had warned ahead of the bill’s passage that it would create national security problems, decrease recruitment from both haredi and general populations, and delegitimize the IDF as a 'nation’s army.' Opposition leaders condemned Deri: Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot called the remarks 'breathtaking audacity'; Naftali Bennett said they 'strengthen Israel’s enemies'; Avigdor Liberman vowed draft-dodging parties would sit in opposition; and Yair Lapid called Deri a 'danger to national security.'

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The dispute sharpens Israel’s internal crisis over military service, as ultra-Orthodox parties leverage their coalition power to advance draft exemptions amid the IDF’s severe manpower shortage after more than two years of war. The political clash could deepen societal fissures, weaken military readiness on multiple fronts including Gaza, and influence coalition stability ahead of October 27 elections. The High Court’s intervention underscores a recurring constitutional tension between religious prerogatives and equal service obligations.

Watch For

The High Court will hear petitions to strike down the draft evasion freeze law. The Knesset goes on recess this week, potentially accelerating a legislative blitz by Netanyahu’s coalition to advance haredi-favored bills before elections. Any new IDF assessments of manpower collapse or enforcement measures against draft evaders may escalate political conflict. Watch for statements from the attorney general and key security cabinet members.