Opposition leaders Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz sharply attacked the government on Monday over efforts to advance legislation regulating the draft status of yeshiva students, warning that the bill would not pass and accusing the coalition of deceiving the public and undermining Israel’s security.
Speaking at the opening of their faction meetings in the Knesset, Lapid and Gantz delivered blistering criticism of what they described as a draft-evasion law. Both leaders framed their remarks against the backdrop of the ongoing war and the recovery operation to bring home the body of fallen Yassam fighter Ran Gvili Hy”d.
Gantz opened by addressing the military effort, saying: “First of all, we are all praying for the success of the operation to return the heroic Yassam fighter Ran Gvili and strengthening the IDF soldiers who are working for this sacred goal at these hours. No further easing in the Gaza Strip should be allowed until we fully exhaust the current efforts to return Ran to his family and to his land.”
He went on to outline his broader security stance, arguing that any move to a second phase must focus on dismantling Hamas rather than offering concessions. “Moving to Phase Two must begin with dismantling Hamas rule and its military power — not with an oxygen pipe for Hamas. The Rafah Crossing is only a symptom. As we said from the start of the war, the hostages should have been released as a priority — and then Hamas eliminated. Now, when we no longer have living hostages in the Strip, we also no longer have operational constraints. The job must be finished.”
Gantz further said Israel should coordinate with President Trump on a clear deadline for Hamas to disarm and relinquish control. “Even if it is right to give Trump’s initiative a chance, we must not live in the illusions of October 6. Turkish soldiers, Qatari soldiers, or even American soldiers will not eliminate Hamas. Only IDF soldiers will. In my assessment, it is not a question of if — only when. We will finish the job.”
Turning to the draft issue, Gantz said the IDF urgently needs reinforcement in manpower and resources. “The deal being formed right now of budget in exchange for draft evasion is not only corrupt and destructive to the economy. It severely harms those who serve. It sabotages our ability to bring about the final collapse of Hamas rule. It is insane to me that after everything we have been through, the government is still busy dismantling the people’s army instead of dismantling Hamas.”
Addressing Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and senior Likud ministers by name, Gantz asked: “Is it really worth it to you for another three months on the chair?”
Gantz added that he has been speaking in recent weeks with serving and former Likud lawmakers and senior figures who oppose the legislation. “I am telling you: a draft exemption law will not pass. More importantly, I hear an awakening. There are many in Likud and also in Religious Zionism — serving and former Knesset members, together with key figures — who will not agree to the continuation of this destructive deal. They will not back the establishment of another government of draft evaders and extremists. This experiment not only failed and brought us disaster — it collapsed.”
He concluded by saying that the only viable solution is a broad unity government made up of those who serve. “And that is what will be.”
Opposition leader Yair Lapid followed with an even more confrontational address, declaring that a clear majority in the Knesset opposes the proposed law. “In the Knesset of Israel there are not only 61 members who are against the draft-evasion law, there are 71, maybe even 81. They just need to decide that they are not willing to deceive the fighters. The draft-evasion law will not pass. We will stop it, and there will be a real draft law. Whoever does not enlist will not receive a single shekel. We will shut off the tap, and you will see how fast they enlist.”
Lapid accused the government of continuing what he called a “disgraceful farce” despite recordings that, he said, exposed the law as fraudulent. “I have one question for Netanyahu and Bismuth: why? Why are you continuing this shameful farce after the rabbis’ recordings exposed that this is a complete deception? Who are you fooling? You have been exposed. Everyone knows. The game is over.”
He cited recorded statements attributed to rabbinic figures, saying: “Rav Hirsch says in his own voice, ‘There will be no targets, God forbid that we meet targets.’ He says — and I quote, it was recorded — ‘Do they think we will want to meet the target? Of course we won’t want to. In the end the law will fall after a few years, but in the meantime we gained time.’ He admits in his own voice that this is what was agreed with him, a complete fraud law whose only purpose is to buy time.”
Lapid continued by quoting additional alleged remarks: “Rav Landau says, ‘It’s all nonsense, no one will go to the army.’ Rabbi Yehuda Cohen, a Shas representative, says, ‘The heads of the yeshivas will not send anyone.’ When asked why they pretend otherwise, he answers without blinking, ‘So that the decrees will be canceled.’ Meaning, so the budgets will return.”
He accused the government of financial motivations, saying: “This fraud, like any fraud, is also about money. Sixty billion shekels the State of Israel gives every year to draft evaders. When it comes to taking our money, they suddenly know the State of Israel very well. These people relate to the State of Israel as if it were a foreign state of gentiles, that it is a mitzvah to deceive it — and Deri and Netanyahu help them.”
Lapid concluded by reiterating his pledge to block the legislation. “This law will not pass, because there is a limit. We will stop it and there will be a real draft law. Whoever does not enlist will not receive a single shekel from the state — no daycare subsidies, no allowances, nothing. We will shut off the tap, and you will see how fast they enlist.”
{Matzav.com}
A budget standoff is escalating in the Senate as Democrats threaten to block government funding unless the Department of Homeland Security is sidelined, while Republicans accuse them of attempting to impose what they call a “mob veto” on law enforcement.
Republicans made their position clear Monday, warning they will not yield to demands tied to defunding immigration enforcement. “Democrats want to shut down the government — again — unless ICE is defunded,” the Senate Republicans’ X account posted. “Not a chance. There can be no mob veto on enforcing the law.”
The clash comes as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., prepares to block the DHS portion of a six-bill appropriations package as lawmakers race toward Friday’s midnight deadline, when the current continuing resolution expires and a shutdown would take effect.
Democrats’ move follows the deadly shooting involving ICE in Minnesota over the weekend, which has reignited tensions after last fall’s record-setting government shutdown. Schumer has made clear that Democrats intend to halt DHS funding unless changes are made.
“Senate Democrats will not allow the current DHS funding bill to move forward,” Schumer said, according to a statement posted Sunday to X by Punchbowl News’ Jake Sherman. “Senate Republicans have seen the same horrific footage that all Americans have watched of the blatant abuses of Americans by ICE in Minnesota.
“The appalling murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti on the streets of Minneapolis must lead Republicans to join Democrats in overhauling ICE and CBP to protect the public. People should be safe from abuse by their own government.
“Senate Republicans must work with Democrats to advance the other five funding bills while we work to rewrite the DHS bill. This is best course of action, and the American people are on our side.”
Republican senators quickly rejected that approach, framing it as an attempt to paralyze federal law enforcement through public pressure. Among them was Senate Republican Conference Chair Tom Cotton of Arkansas.
“The deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti are regrettable tragedies,” Cotton wrote Sunday night on X. “They could’ve been avoided — & further unrest can be avoided — if state & local officials work with federal law enforcement and stop encouraging civilians to interfere.
“There can be no mob veto on enforcing the law.”
While Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., has not publicly weighed in on the DHS funding fight, several outspoken supporters of President Donald Trump and tougher border enforcement have issued firm statements opposing any cuts.
“Democrats opened the border and allowed many dangerous criminals to invade America,” Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., wrote Monday on X. “Minnesota Democrats are inciting violence and obstruction of federal law enforcement.
“Now, Senate Democrats are threatening to defund the very agency tasked with cleaning up their mess.
“I will oppose any effort to defund DHS.”
Johnson’s remarks echoed those of Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., who also vowed to block any reduction in DHS funding.
“I will be returning to D.C. very soon,” Scott wrote Sunday on X. “I want to be very clear. @DHSgov needs to continue to be fully funded.
“I will not support any efforts to strip DHS of its funding.”
Republicans currently hold a slim majority in the Senate, with the balance of power allowing Vice President JD Vance to cast a tie-breaking vote if necessary on legislation advancing under budget reconciliation rules. In the 119th Congress, Republicans control 53 seats, Democrats hold 45, and two seats are held by independents.
Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee and whose state has been grappling with deadly ice storms, has not issued a public statement on the DHS funding dispute.
{Matzav.com}
Terror organizations, led by Hamas, are attempting to take credit for the return of the body of Ran Gvili Hy”d while pressing Israel to fully implement all provisions of the ceasefire agreement, with a particular emphasis on opening the Rafah Crossing in both directions without restrictions.
In a statement issued following the recovery of Gvili’s body, Hamas called for the “full implementation of the ceasefire agreement clauses, without reduction or delay, and a commitment to all required completions, especially the opening of the Rafah Crossing in both directions without limitations.”
IDF officials rejected Hamas’ claims, stressing that the terror group did not provide information that led to the discovery of Gvili’s body. According to the military, Hamas released its statement only after realizing that Israeli forces were closing in on the location, in an effort to “claim credit” for the outcome. Senior IDF sources said the recovery was achieved solely through “uncompromising military pressure on Hamas.”
An IDF official described the operation as emotionally harrowing, saying, “What brought him back was relentless military pressure on Hamas. It was a moving and extremely difficult moment to locate him among the smells of the bodies and the sights that took us back to the days of Camp Shura.”
Despite the IDF’s position, Hamas asserted in its official announcement that it had played a role in the process. “We invested great efforts to locate the last abducted fallen soldier and provided the mediators with the required information from time to time, which assisted in finding him,” the statement read. Hamas claimed the move was carried out “as part of the full commitment of the resistance to completing the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, after it fulfilled all of its obligations clearly and responsibly.”
The terror organization went on to outline its expectations from Israel, reiterating demands for the unrestricted opening of the Rafah Crossing, the entry of supplies into Gaza in what it described as required quantities, the removal of all limitations on those supplies, a full withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and easing the work of the committee overseeing Gaza’s administration.
Israeli officials, however, continue to maintain that the successful recovery of Ran Gvili hy”d was the result of sustained operational pressure and intelligence work, and not cooperation from Hamas.
{Matzav.com}Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Monday marked a historic and emotional moment in the Knesset plenum by reciting the bracha of Shehecheyanu after IDF forces completed the mission to return the body of Ran Gvili Hy”d, the last fallen hostage held in the Gaza Strip.
Opening his remarks with the full bracha, Netanyahu said, “Baruch Atah Hashem Elokeinu Melech Ha’olam, shehecheyanu v’kiyemanu v’higi’anu lazman hazeh,” before addressing the members of Knesset. “My friends, members of the Knesset, a short time ago we brought Rani Gvili home, a hero of Israel. There are no more hostages in Gaza.”
Netanyahu praised the security forces for what he described as the flawless execution of a sacred mission. “I bless the commanders and soldiers of the IDF and the Shin Bet for the perfect completion of this holy task,” he said. Turning to the family, the prime minister added, “I embrace Talik and Itzik and the entire noble Gvili family. I looked them in the eyes and said: ‘We will bring Rani home.’ I promised you, citizens of Israel: we will bring everyone home.”
Referring to the yellow hostage pin worn by many Israelis since the outbreak of the war, Netanyahu removed the pin from his lapel during his address. “We all wore the pin, and now that the mission has been completed, the time has come to remove it,” he said. “For the sons have returned to their borders, and the daughters have returned to their borders.”
The prime minister expressed gratitude to those who assisted in bringing the mission to its conclusion. “I wish to thank Gal Hirsch for his tireless dedication to this mission. I thank my colleagues in the government who supported this effort throughout. I thank President Trump, Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and their teams for their significant and important support.”
Netanyahu concluded by thanking the public at large. “I thank the entire people of Israel for the tefillos and the chizuk. We have completed this mission, as I promised, and so too will we complete the other missions we have set before us.”
{Matzav.com}
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Israel’s political leadership responded with visible emotion following the return of the body of Ran Gvili Hy”d, with senior officials across the spectrum describing the moment as a painful yet profound closure and a fulfillment of a promise sealed in blood.
In a powerful and symbolic gesture, President Isaac Herzog removed the yellow hostage pin from his suit lapel. “All of our hearts are with Tali and Itzik, who fought a noble struggle,” the president wrote. “Since 2014, and after many long and difficult years, there is no Israeli citizen in the Gaza Strip. An entire nation prayed for this moment.” Herzog summarized the significance of the development by declaring: “The circle has closed — there are no more Israelis in Gaza.”
Security officials echoed the sense of moral responsibility fulfilled. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir spoke with the family immediately following Operation “Lev Amitz” and stated succinctly: “We did not leave anyone behind.” Police Commissioner Insp. Gen. Danny Levy emphasized Gvili’s personal heroism, noting his service as a Yassam fighter who stood as a protective shield for civilians on October 7.
Members of the political echelon described the recovery as a moral victory. Defense Minister Yisroel Katz said, “A moment of closure that underscores our commitment to every soldier and every citizen. This is our mutual responsibility.”
Shas chairman Aryeh Deri added, “A moment of deep pain and moral closure. There is no other nation like this in the world that does not give up on its sons, in life and in death.”
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir reflected the mixed emotions felt nationwide, saying, “Shattering and overwhelming emotions. The heart breaks for the Yassam fighter who gave his life, alongside immense relief that he is no longer in enemy hands. Welcome home, Rani.”
Opposition leaders also issued statements of tribute. Yair Lapid said, “I embrace the family that fought so hard. Ran was the last hostage in Gaza — I welcome his return for a proper burial.” Gadi Eisenkot remarked, “The heart breaks and heals at the same time. This operation is the essence of the story of the Jewish people — a nation that does not forget and does not let go.”
International figures joined the expressions of condolence as well. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and former national security adviser Mike Waltz referenced his personal connection to the family, stating, “I had the honor to pray with them. Now the healing can begin.”
{Matzav.com}