Israel’s Netanyahu accuses Gallant of seeking to overthrow gov’t

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of his cabinet slammed Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, yesterday for refusing to support an ultra-Orthodox draft law unless it earned broad consensus in the Knesset, local media outlets reported.

The Israeli cabinet convened yesterday to discuss ways to increase enrollment in the Israeli army including a defence establishment proposal to extend mandatory service for men to three years.

Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi attacked Gallant, asking why the defence minister is ready to support extending mandatory service without opposition support but won’t do the same when it comes to the ultra-Orthodox enlistment bill currently making its way through the Knesset.

Gallant had previously stipulated that the ultra-Orthodox enlistment bill should be presented with the agreement of all coalition parties, including Gantz’s party.

According to leaked comments published by national broadcaster Kan, Karhi argued during Sunday’s meeting that failing to pass the Haredi conscription legislation “will lead to the collapse of the coalition, which will harm the security of the country and give a victory to [Hamas leader Yahya] Sinwar.”

For his part, Gallant said the threat to Israel is increasing and the number of army forces is declining, adding: “Where do you plan to bring soldiers from? And how do you want the Israeli army to continue fighting? We need more forces for the army.”

Netanyahu slammed Gallant’s stance on the Haredi draft bill, describing it as “the height of cynicism and politicisation.”

The Haredi enlistment law “significantly increases the conscription of the ultra-Orthodox,” Netanyahu reportedly said.

In response to Netanyahu, Gallant said: “We are going through a sensitive period. We need to reach an agreement to return the hostages. The political attempt to link the release of the hostages to exempting the Haredim from conscription is dangerous and irresponsible.”

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