Chief of Staff in Harsh Attack on Government: 'The Law Is Fundamentally Flawed'

Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir harshly criticized the government over the advancement of the law to prevent the arrest of Haredi draft dodgers, saying at the General Staff Forum that 'the law is fundamentally flawed' and that 'no one listened' to the IDF's position. Zamir noted that the High Court of Justice froze the law's entry into effect and instructed to follow developments. A source present interpreted the instruction as an order to ensure the police assist the military police in arresting draft dodgers.

Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir harshly attacked the government over the advancement of the law to prevent the arrest of Haredi draft dodgers, claiming that 'the law is fundamentally flawed.' The remarks were made at the General Staff Forum about two and a half weeks ago, before IDF commanders, and were published this evening (Wednesday) in the main edition of Channel 12 News. Zamir said: 'We presented our position on the matter many times in various committees, but no one listened. This law is fundamentally flawed; the High Court of Justice has already frozen its entry into effect, and I'm not sure it will pass it. I instruct to follow the various developments on this matter.' The criticism comes after Zamir sent a letter to Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Katz, and the head of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, in which he announced that the IDF would not sign mass exemptions. It was also reported that a source present in the room interpreted Zamir's instruction to follow developments as an order to ensure the police assist the military police—and not hinder—regarding the arrest of draft dodgers.

Chief of Staff in Harsh Attack on Government: 'The Law Is Fundamentally Flawed'