Netanyahu Slams Arrest of Haredi Draft Evaders; Liberman Calls Him 'Hostage'

The prime minister called the arrests of ultra-Orthodox deserters unacceptable, prompting sharp criticism from Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a Tuesday radio interview on Kol Barama that arresting ultra-Orthodox draft evaders is unacceptable and undermines IDF enlistment efforts, The Jerusalem Post reported. Netanyahu added that the world of Torah study must be preserved because it has protected the Jewish people.

Following the remarks, Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman attacked the prime minister, calling him a "hostage of the draft dodgers," Channel 7 reported. Liberman argued that Netanyahu is reliant on ultra-Orthodox parties to form a government, insisting that the law must apply equally to all citizens.