Likud MK Illouz: Amid draft debate, it's time to end the Likud-haredi partnership

Likud MK Dan Illouz has called for an end to the long-standing political partnership between the Likud party and the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) factions, arguing that the alliance poses a danger to Israel's future. Illouz expressed his views in a recent interview with The Jerusalem Post.

Illouz is a vocal critic of contentious legislation advanced by the haredi parties. These include a bill to enshrine Torah study in Basic Law, which critics say encourages draft evasion, and daycare subsidy legislation that could benefit parents of draft evaders. He highlighted the IDF's severe manpower shortage as a critical consequence of continued draft evasion.

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If the army doesn’t have enough soldiers, then that’s a danger to our ability to protect the state of Israel.

"If the army doesn’t have enough soldiers, then that’s a danger to our ability to protect the state of Israel," Illouz stated. He also warned of severe economic repercussions as the haredi community grows, potentially making it difficult to manage the economy. "I think that we’re at a point where we need to look at the situation very bluntly and understand that the partnership with the haredim does more harm than it does good right now."

Illouz advocates for a partnership based on the ideology he represents: right-wing, free market, and hawkish principles. However, he believes this ideology cannot effectively lead the country while allied with the ultra-Orthodox parties, suggesting the coalition should seek alternative partnerships.

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I think that we’re at a point where we need to look at the situation very bluntly and understand that the partnership with the haredim does more harm than it does good right now.