Benny Gantz on the security situation/(Photo: Minister's Spokesperson)
The chairman of the state camp, Minister Benny Gantz, commented this morning (Thursday) on the crisis surrounding the conscription law, saying that he "never conditioned the issue of service in the elections". Gadi Eisenkot.
"The time has come for action," he said. "In recent months, my people and I have met with many high-ranking ultra-Orthodox officials, and we told them that for the good of the people of Israel, Israeli society, and in my opinion also for the good of ultra-Orthodox society, we need to reach an agreed-upon recruitment plan based on the Israeli service plan ahead of time that my friend Gadi Eisenkot and I built.
"We tried to explain that after 7/10, the ultra-Orthodox society must also understand that something has changed. That we have an opportunity for historical correction, which will also strengthen us now in the war. Unfortunately, we were unable to reach agreements between us and bridge the gaps - and I still hope, that it is not too late.
"I have never conditioned the issue of service in the elections." Gantz/Flash 90, Jonathan Zindel
"Our proposal to outline an Israeli service with broad agreement is the correct, just and most realistic solution that will bring about the recruitment of ultra-Orthodox and Arabs, which will help the operational effort of the IDF today and a major correction in Israeli society in the coming decade. All this with great respect for the study of the Torah, avoiding gratuitous hatred and while we allow the ultra-Orthodox to maintain their lifestyles. This offer is still valid today.
"I have never conditioned the issue of service in the elections, and I will not give my hand to proposals aimed at bypassing the High Court, and not responding to the needs of the IDF and Israeli society as the government has proposed so far. As I have repeatedly said throughout the period: a solution for recruitment - yes, Exemption from conscription - no. That's how it was, and that's how it will be."
More on the same topic:
Benny Gantz
The conscription law