Bennett and Smotrich square off over IDF boycott call
MK Smotrich joins throws his hat into the ring of public debate over mixed-gender IDF units and female combat roles, ruffling feathers both in his party and the public. Bennett: 'No group, and especially not religious Zionism, has the right to teach the IDF how to behave or to refuse to be conscripted.'
In comments made to B'Sheva newspaper, Smotrich said, "If the yeshivas and preparatory programs keep their students for several more months and skip one recruitment cycle, the IDF will ask itself what it prefers—quality, motivated soldiers or mixed service at Bahad 1 (the IDF's officers training base)."
Smotrich made his comments in wake of the recent rise in tensions between religious Zionist rabbis and the IDF in regards to mixed-gender units.
Smotrich's comments have caused a firestorm in the Bayit Hayehudi party, whose chairman, Minister of Education Naftali Bennett, rejected the call, saying, "We are the IDF and we are not threatening ourselves."
Bennett continued, saying, "No group, and especially not religious Zionism, has the right 'to teach the IDF how to behave' or to refuse to be conscripted."
Director General of Bayit Yehudi, Nir Orbach, joined the fray, saying, "The Bayit Hayehudi party opposes any type of refusal or hint at refusal. Our yeshivas will not delay enlistment in order to correct processes that need it. The army is us and we will not cut off our nose to spite our face."
Party activist Prof. Asher Cohen warned party leaders that Smotrich's call could harm Bayit Hayehudi in the coming elections.
"If headlines are recycled during elections, Bayit Yehudi will struggle to get ten seats (in the Knesset). Seriously struggle—and may not succeed."
(Translated and edited by Fred Goldberg)
