Bennett Hits Eisenkot and Golan Over Draft Law Talks

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett sharply criticized Gadi Eisenkot and Yair Golan over reported willingness in parts of the center-left bloc to negotiate with the Haredi parties on a new draft exemption framework.

Speaking at a political conference for his movement, Bennett said attempts to reach understandings or compromises with the Haredi parties on the issue of military service were naive, especially after the long war and the IDF’s manpower shortage.

“It’s naive, it’s naive,” Bennett told the audience. “You enter negotiations and then they start asking, ‘What are the parameters for an exemption,’ and all of that. What Gafni and Deri have forgotten, Eisenkot and Yair Golan have not yet learned.”

The remarks marked a sharper tone from Bennett toward figures who are expected to compete with him for leadership of the anti-Netanyahu bloc, particularly Eisenkot, whose Yashar party is polling strongly in the center.

Bennett argued that the current reality does not allow for another complex formula, special arrangement or compromise that would effectively preserve the existing system of broad exemptions for Haredi yeshiva students.

According to Bennett, after months of fighting and growing pressure on regular and reserve forces, the political system must reject any new exemption outline rather than enter another round of negotiations.

“There is no room for dialogue on this issue,” Bennett said. “Just oppose it.”

His comments come as the draft law crisis continues to destabilize the coalition and push the political system closer to early elections. Haredi parties have rejected recent versions of the legislation, while opposition figures are divided over whether a future government should try to pass a compromise or demand a more sweeping change.

Bennett’s message was aimed at drawing a clear line between himself and rivals in the center-left camp: no negotiations, no formulas and no renewed exemption deal.