Naftali Bennett Calls for Mandatory Ultra-Orthodox IDF Enlistment

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called for mandatory enlistment of ultra-Orthodox individuals into the IDF during an interview on Radio 103FM on April 22, 2026. He stated that draft evasion is costing the lives of soldiers and attributed an IDF shortage of 20,000 soldiers to the current government.

Bennett criticized a proposed plan by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to encourage ultra-Orthodox enlistment. Bennett described Smotrich as the architect of the evasion, saying Smotrich represented religious Zionism but allied with others, leading to the issue.

He noted that soldiers are being overworked, which diminishes their sharpness and leads to casualties. Bennett also mentioned that due to the shortage, forces conquer points but cannot hold them and must withdraw.

blamed Smotrich, Knesset members Yitzchak Goldknopf and Arye Deri, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the lack of religious soldiers in the IDF. He called their decisions terrible and said they prioritized politics over the country's well-being.

Bennett highlighted that there are 100,000 young, healthy ultra-Orthodox individuals who could enlist, and enlisting one-fifth would solve the problem. He proposed halting all funding channels that enable evasion, including funding for education without math and English.

Bennett stated there will be no autonomous ultra-Orthodox state within Israel.

asked about winning right-wing voters, Bennett said he is received well across the country and was assertive as prime minister. He announced his intention to form a Zionist government and expressed confidence in winning elections. Bennett said he would not sit in Netanyahu's government and emphasized replacing Netanyahu after more than 30 years.

Regarding the security situation, Bennett referenced the October 7 massacre as a difficult trauma but expressed optimism about Israel's ability to thrive. He stated the country can move to a better place.