Former General and current Yesh Atid MK Elazar Stern addressed the issue of Ultra-Orthodox recruitment, saying that it is difficult for him to say that ultra-orthodox not serving in the army are his brothers.
In an interview with the IDF's radio, Stern said: "I think the service of the ultra-Orthodox is much more than the ferocity of the soul which is really at the highest level, but it is also the question; Is there one people here or are there two peoples here, those who serve and those who do not serve as a whole public."
Stern clarified: "To say that I can call the non-serving ultra-Orthodox 'my brothers'? It's getting harder and harder for me. I don't want it to be like that. I don't want this disengagement."
The Israeli politician said that "Even religious people with headscarves who don't watch TV, but call their husbands time and time again for reserve months, tell us 'we aren't seen as Haredim.' And surely soon it will be between the times, and you will see them traveling, and the husbands and fathers and grandfathers of our children, they will be in Gaza and Mount Dov. Tell me, does that make sense to you?"
