Haaretz Podcast 'It’s a disgrace. Israelis have had enough': Amid ultra-Orthodox riots, fury over IDF draft-dodging peaks
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Feb 20, 2026 Uri Kedar, CEO of Free Israel and former IDF tank commander, speaks about rising fury over Haredi draft-dodging. He describes violent confrontations, political maneuvers to preserve exemptions, and shifting public outrage across the political spectrum. He highlights pressure on the military, legal battles, and the broader struggle over integration and state policy.
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Soldiers Chased In Bnei Brak
- Two female soldiers in uniform were chased into an apartment in Bnei Brak while visiting a new recruit and had to be sheltered and rescued.
- The incident triggered huge ultra-Orthodox riots with overturned vehicles and clashes with police.
Law Applies To Everyone Now
- Uri Kedar says the legal norm now is that conscription law applies to everyone and previous exemptions are eroding after court rulings.
- He argues tens of thousands of healthy Haredi men are legally obligated yet refusing to join, creating a historic civil disobedience movement.
Threats Without Political Leverage
- Ultra-Orthodox parties repeatedly threaten to bring down the government but lack the leverage because they benefit hugely from the current coalition budgets.
- Uri Kedar likens their threats to empty guns since they would lose far more by collapsing the coalition.