Lieberman rules out minority government, demands end to military draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox

Avigdor Lieberman, head of the Israel Beiteinu party, has intensified his criticism of fellow opposition figures, rejecting proposals for a minority government and insisting on changes to military conscription policies for ultra-Orthodox Israelis. In a statement responding to reports about coalition-building plans, Lieberman declared: “I will not give up on this, whether I become prime minister or minister.”

The comments appear to signal tension within the anti-Netanyahu opposition bloc as parties attempt to coordinate a potential governing arrangement. Lieberman’s remarks directly targeted Defence Minister Yoav Eisenkot’s reported suggestion of granting military draft exemptions to 30 per cent of ultra-Orthodox conscription-age men—a proposal Lieberman rejected outright. “I don’t agree even with 3 per cent,” Lieberman stated, emphasising his longstanding position that all Israeli citizens should be subject to equal military service obligations.

The dispute highlights a fundamental divide within Israeli politics over the secular-religious balance in military service, a contentious issue that has repeatedly derailed coalition negotiations. Lieberman’s firm stance indicates that any future government involving Israel Beiteinu would need to maintain a strict approach to conscription law, making compromise on this issue unlikely regardless of which party leads such a coalition.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.