Haredi Military Service: Erdan on Torah Study & Duty

Gilad Erdan, chairman of the Unity Party and former minister and ambassador, pushed back against accusations that he has become "anti-haredi" since joining forces with Knesset member Yuli Edelstein.

Speaking in an interview with Kikar Hashabat, Erdan called such claims dishonest. "Anyone who calls me anti-haredi is either a liar or has an agenda," he said. "I'm a product of religious Zionism and studied at Netiv Meir yeshiva not far from here. If anyone understands the importance of keeping mitzvot and above all studying Torah, it's me."

But Erdan stressed that religious values must coexist with civic responsibility in the Jewish state. "We live here together in the State of Israel, the state of the Jewish people," he said. "When I look ahead (and this is my duty as an elected official or someone who wants to return to public life) I have to think long-term: how will the State of Israel, with G-d's help, continue to exist? It can only continue if all citizens in the state... and this isn't just about haredim, it's also about secular people who don't serve in the army or national service."

Asked whether he would rule out sitting in a government with haredi leaders Aryeh Deri, Moshe Gafni, and Yitzhak Goldknopf, Erdan replied: "If they accept the principles—I don't rule out anyone. You know what they say: a penitent..."

When pressed about whether he similarly refuses to rule out Arab parties, Erdan drew a sharp distinction.

"That's correct, no matter what the Arab parties say, I don't believe them," he stated. "If in the darkest hours of the Jewish people after October 7th they couldn't identify with us, condemn Hamas, say it's a terrorist organization, then whatever they say is part of what Muhammad taught his followers, right? To lie and one day slaughter Jews when possible. I won't accept that in any legitimate government."

Returning to the haredi parties, Erdan added: "Now, Aryeh Deri, Moshe Gafni, all those we've known for decades, if they accept these principles, then of course we can argue about the timeline for implementation. I'm not naive, I'm a politician and public figure of many decades. Obviously there are processes involved."

The haredi draft issue has become increasingly contentious in Israeli politics, particularly since the October 7th attacks highlighted questions of shared national burden. Ultra-Orthodox parties have traditionally secured exemptions from military service for yeshiva students, a policy that has faced growing opposition across the political spectrum.