A rare and unusually sharp unsigned editorial published Tuesday in the Israeli Hebrew Yated Ne’eman, the flagship newspaper of the Degel HaTorah faction of UTJ, has laid bare a profound internal fracture within the chareidi public over the proposed IDF draft law. The article, attributed only to “one of the rabbonim,” launches a fierce attack on opponents of the legislation and places significant blame on the Chassidishe Agudas Yisroel faction of UTJ for what it describes as a worsening crisis, all against the backdrop of hundreds of chareidi young men enlisting in the IDF in recent days.
The editorial, described by observers as unprecedented in tone for Yated Ne’eman, targets critics of the draft bill being advanced by Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman Boaz Bismuth. The paper argues that “in the face of a campaign of propaganda and falsehoods, there is a need to present the unvarnished truth.” Beneath that claim, however, the article reflects deep frustration within the Litvishe chareidi camp over what it sees as the erosion of its long-standing leadership role in shaping chareidi policy and public discourse.
For decades, Yated Ne’eman and the Litvishe rabbinic leadership it represents were widely viewed as setting the tone on the most sensitive communal issues, with other chareidi factions often deferring to their guidance. According to the report, senior Chassidic rebbes once waited to hear the Litvishe position before taking public stances on controversial matters.
That dynamic, the article suggests, has changed dramatically. In recent years, those from other chareidi communities have shown diminishing interest in Litvishe positions. Large anti-draft rallies have been held in defiance of leading Litvishe rabbanim, and Yated Ne’eman now openly laments that Chassidic newspapers and leaders feel free to attack the draft law publicly.
The split is increasingly visible across the chareidi media landscape. In recent weeks, Chassidic newspapers have waged an aggressive campaign against the proposed law, while the Litvishe public has largely remained quieter. Shas, which often aligns with the Litvishe camp, has also been drawn into the divide. A major anti-draft rally scheduled for Yerushalayim today highlights how fractured the chareidi street has become.
The tension is compounded by hard numbers. According to the report, between 600 and 700 chareidi young men are expected to enlist in the IDF this week alone — a figure far higher than what chareidi political operatives had anticipated. The army is seen as the primary beneficiary of the disunity.
The rift extends beyond Yated Ne’eman. Also this morning, Hamodia, identified with the Gerer Chassidus and Housing Minister Yitzchok Goldknopf, devoted a full page to opposing the draft law. HaMevaser, aligned with the Shlomei Emunim faction led by the Porush family, published similarly scathing criticism. In contrast, Yated Ne’eman devoted its editorial space to explaining why, in its view, the law must be passed.
In its arguments, Yated Ne’eman reiterates a core position: the Toraso umnaso arrangement is intended solely for genuine full-time lomdei Torah and must not be exploited by young men who are not learning seriously. This is a position that was famously held by Rav Elazar Menachem Man Shach. At the same time, it insists that military service itself remains absolutely forbidden. The paper stresses that the struggle over conscription must not be conflated with the broader mission of preserving the Torah world, warning that such conflation is “entirely destructive.”
For years, tens of thousands of chareidi young men who were not learning were nevertheless covered by the exemption framework, until the law expired. From a chareidi ideological perspective, the paper argues, even an idle young man is preferable on the street than in uniform, out of fear that the visible presence of chareidi soldiers would normalize enlistment and eventually unravel the fabric of chareidi society.
Yated Ne’eman places responsibility for the current vacuum squarely on “other factions within United Torah Judaism,” accusing them of blocking earlier, more favorable legislation while insisting on waiting for a better political opportunity, a fact that has been highlighted many times in the past.
The paper further claims that chareidi opponents of the bill are “preventing any form of rescue, even a minimal one,” and dismisses reports suggesting that leading Litvishe gedolim have agreed to compromises on the severity of the draft issue as “an outrageous falsehood.”
Warning of dire consequences, the editorial argues that arrests and imprisonment of chareidi youth place them under “bitter and severe trials,” increasing the risk that some will ultimately enlist. For that reason, it says, legislation eliminating arrests is essential. In particularly harsh language, the Yated accuses Agudas Yisroel of exacerbating the crisis and of having the audacity to blame “the leading sages of the generation who are working to save the entire Torah world.”
The paper concludes by demanding that opponents support any law that removes arrests from the equation. Once such legislation is passed, it argues, each community’s leadership would be free to instruct its followers to continue resisting the army, reject deferments, sever all contact with military authorities, and publicly declare that they do not fear arrest.
The Israeli Yated has no connection to the American newspaper that goes by the same name.
{Matzav.com}
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar carried out a first-ever official diplomatic visit to Hargeisa on Tuesday, marking a major step toward full diplomatic relations between Israel and Somaliland. The visit was conducted discreetly at the request of security officials and was cleared for publication only afterward.
Sa’ar traveled to Somaliland at the invitation of President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi, following the signing of a historic mutual recognition agreement between the two sides on December 26. During the visit, the foreign minister held meetings with senior Somaliland officials, including the president, Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Adam, Minister of the Presidency Khadar Hussein Abdi, Chief of Staff Nimsan Yusuf Osman, Speaker of Parliament Yasin Haji Mohamoud, and Senate Speaker Suleiman Mahmoud Aden. The meetings took place at the official presidential palace in Hargeisa. Sa’ar was welcomed upon arrival by Somaliland’s foreign minister.
Speaking during the visit, Sa’ar said, “On December 26, Israel and Somaliland signed a historic agreement for mutual recognition and the establishment of full diplomatic relations. We agreed on the mutual appointment of ambassadors and the opening of embassies, and we will do so soon. We agreed to work together to advance relations between our countries, for the prosperity of both.”
He added that Israel seeks to build ties not only at the governmental level, but also between the two peoples. “We want to build a warm friendship not only between governments, but also between peoples — the people of Israel and the people of Somaliland. Since December 26, we have seen authentic joy in Somaliland, and also in Israel. We are excited to take part in the brave journey of the people of Somaliland from independence to recognition.”
Sa’ar said Israel’s Foreign Ministry is already working, under his direction, to expand cooperation in multiple fields. “The Foreign Ministry is working to build relations in many areas: economy, water, agriculture, and more. We will carry out cooperation on security issues and develop a strategic partnership between us.”
In unusually blunt remarks, Sa’ar contrasted Somaliland with the Palestinian cause. “Unlike ‘Palestine,’ Somaliland is not a virtual state. Somaliland is a functioning state in every sense, according to the principles of international law. Somaliland has been a stable democracy for nearly 35 years, with democratic elections and orderly transfers of power. It is pro-Western and friendly toward Israel. It is an honor for us to be the first UN member state to recognize Somaliland as an independent and sovereign country.”
Addressing international criticism, he continued, “We hear the attacks, criticism, and condemnations against Israel. No one will decide for Israel whom to recognize or with whom to maintain diplomatic relations. We recognize the simple truth and the existing reality, and we hope to see additional countries do the same soon. Somaliland deserves, justly, a place among the nations. This is a natural relationship between two democratic states, both located in challenging regions.”
Sa’ar concluded by relaying an invitation from Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu to the Somaliland president. “In our meeting, I reiterated the prime minister’s invitation for you to make an official visit to Israel. We hope to host you in Yerushalayim very soon. We are full of hope that these historic days and moments will mark the beginning of a deep friendship between our peoples for many years to come.”
President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi confirmed that he plans to visit Israel in the near future and announced that Somaliland will open an embassy there.
In his remarks, the president described Sa’ar’s visit as a landmark event. “Your visit has historic importance and represents a significant milestone in the evolving relationship between Somaliland and the State of Israel. It reflects not only political relations, but also a shared commitment to transform this relationship into a productive, forward-looking, and strategic partnership.”
He emphasized Somaliland’s long-term vision for the relationship. “We are committed to building a strategic relationship with Israel that will be beneficial to both sides and based on cooperation in policy, security, economy, and development. We see this partnership not merely as a political matter, but as a move of historic significance.”
The president added that the visit sends a clear message of resolve. “We want our countries to promote stability, prosperity, and shared interests. Your presence here today demonstrates leadership and confidence in the future of our relations. It sends a strong message that Somaliland and Israel are ready to deepen engagement and act decisively to establish diplomatic infrastructure, including the opening of embassies.”
He concluded by formally accepting Netanyahu’s invitation. “For our part, I wish to assure our full readiness and political will to open an embassy in Israel and to support a permanent and effective Israeli diplomatic presence in Somaliland. I hereby announce that I accept Prime Minister Netanyahu’s invitation to visit Israel.”
{Matzav.com}
Former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett on Monday night delivered a televised statement laying out what he described as a comprehensive solution to Israel’s draft crisis, once again focusing his political message squarely on the chareidi sector while declaring his intention to form the next government.
Speaking at a press conference broadcast live, Bennett — who is seeking a return to politics under the banner of a new framework dubbed “Bennett 2026” — said that his first move upon returning to the Prime Minister’s Office would be to repeal what he called the current government’s “draft evasion law.”
Bennett said he intends to replace it with legislation he is calling the “Law of Those Who Serve,” presenting it as the cornerstone of his next coalition. “From today, those who serve will be at the top of the pyramid and those who evade will be at the bottom,” Bennett said, adding that support for the bill would be a prerequisite for joining a government under his leadership. “Support for the Law of Those Who Serve is the first condition for entering a government I head. This is the flagship law of the next government.”
In his remarks, Bennett accused the current leadership of creating a moral and social injustice. “The people of Israel are witnessing a terrible injustice,” he said. “With one hand, the government issues 280,000 reserve duty call-up orders, shattering families and careers, and with the other hand it transfers tens of billions of shekels to healthy young men who choose to evade service in the IDF.”
“There is no greater chillul Hashem than this,” Bennett continued. “They talk about a yellow badge?! We enlist so that we have a strong IDF, in a strong Jewish state, so that no Jew will ever again wear a yellow badge.”
Bennett said his proposed law would fundamentally reverse Israel’s social and economic priorities. “Tonight I announce: the Israeli pyramid is being turned upside down,” he said. “I present to you the law that will shape the State of Israel for decades to come: the Law of Those Who Serve. The answer to this government’s disgraceful draft evasion law is the Law of Those Who Serve. From today — those who serve at the top, and those who choose to evade — at the bottom.”
Detailing the plan, Bennett said his proposal would divert 25 billion shekels currently allocated to what he described as draft evaders and coalition funds and transfer the entire sum to those who serve. He outlined a three-tier system.
At the top, Bennett placed active reserve soldiers. “Every active reservist will receive a grant of one million shekels toward a first home,” he said. He added that reservists would receive free daycare from birth to age three for all children, as well as a permanent 50 percent discount on electricity, water, and municipal taxes as long as they continue reserve service. “These aren’t perks,” Bennett said. “It’s a game-changer that changes your life. You fight for the home — you’ll get a home.”
The second tier, according to Bennett, would include those who completed full mandatory service. He said they would be entitled to “a massive boost at the start of life,” including a free undergraduate degree for all veterans, not only combat soldiers, a free master’s degree for combat troops, five years of free public transportation after discharge, and a monthly subsidy of 1,000 shekels per child for daycare from birth to age three.
“At the third, bottom level,” Bennett said, “those who choose not to serve simply do not receive.” He argued that this structure would “turn the pyramid in Israel.”
Bennett insisted the funding already exists. “This money exists,” he said. “I built the Law of Those Who Serve with people who were in the Budget Division and the Housing Ministry, and they know exactly where these billions are right now. The Law of Those Who Serve moves those billions to the right place — to you.”
He claimed the move would unlock major economic growth. “Our move will free up more than 100 billion shekels in economic output that is currently being burned because of the draft evasion mechanism,” Bennett said. “We are reshaping the state.”
Responding to comparisons between current policies and frameworks proposed during his own previous tenure, Bennett said critics were ignoring the impact of the October 7 massacre. “Anyone who compares the draft evasion law to the framework under a government I led ‘forgets’ one thing: the massacre of October 7,” he said. “But the people of Israel do not forget, and will not forget.”
Bennett concluded by arguing that his plan would transform Israeli society and even draw chareidi youth into military service. “The Law of Those Who Serve will change the structure of the Israeli economy for generations, and will save the economy and the serving public from inevitable collapse,” he said. “And you’ll see how this law brings masses of young chareidim to join us in the IDF. We have one home — we will defend it together.”
{Matzav.com}