Edelstein: This Will Be a Real Law, Not a Bluff
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, MK Yuli Edelstein, was interviewed today (Tuesday) by Israeli Newspaper Makor Rishon, and elaborated on the conscription law that is expected to be drafted next week by the committee’s legal team.
Edelstein emphasized that the new law will be a “real law,” not a bluff, and will include both personal and institutional sanctions against those who evade the draft.
“At first I thought we could manage without sanctions,” he admitted. “Now it’s clear that we can’t.”
You Can’t Go to War Without Munitions—Or Manpower
He added that the primary goal is to meet the actual needs of the IDF. “You can’t go to war without munitions,” he said, “and similarly, we must assess the manpower situation. You can’t keep calling up reservists for the sixth and seventh rounds while there’s a pool of tens of thousands of potential recruits who, unfortunately, aren’t showing up.”
According to Edelstein, even if the IDF is not yet fully prepared to integrate Haredim (the ultra-Orthodox), a combined model involving civil and security service could be implemented in the first stage.
Advancing a Process to Restore Israeli Control in Disengagement Zones
Regarding the issue of sovereignty, Edelstein stressed that this should be a core objective of the right-wing government. “This isn’t just another budget for a regional council—it’s a significant change,” he stated.
He also noted that with wisdom, it would be possible to promote a process that restores Israeli control in the disengaged areas, including Gaza—but only after the defeat of Hamas and the return of the hostages.
