World champion claims: the Haredim will bring about a civil war

Garry Kasparov, former world chess champion, publishes an op-ed in the New York Times comparing Israel's political crisis to the compromises that led to the US Civil War. Kasparov attacks the alliance between Netanyahu and the Haredi parties, arguing that the Haredim enjoy disproportionate political power and an exemption from military service that has become a source of fury since October 7. He calls for elections as a way out of the crisis.

Former world chess champion Garry Kasparov publishes a scathing op-ed in the New York Times comparing Israel's political crisis to the compromises that led to the US Civil War. Kasparov attacks the alliance between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Haredi parties, arguing that the Haredim, who make up about 14% of the population, enjoy disproportionate political power, an exemption from military service that has become a huge source of fury since the events of October 7, and a monopoly on marriage, divorce, and burial through the Chief Rabbinate. Kasparov claims that the Haredi parties will support any leader who preserves their privileges, regardless of accusations against him, and thus have become indispensable partners in Netanyahu's far-right coalition. He notes that without the Haredim, Netanyahu would have no backing for authoritarian moves like suppressing the independence of the judiciary or the attempt to fire the Attorney General. On the other hand, Kasparov notes that the Haredim are losing support even on the right, with prominent Likud figures like Yuli Edelstein leaving due to opposition to the Haredi monopoly, and the opposition is campaigning to abolish the exemption from conscription. In conclusion, Kasparov states that Israel cannot continue to exist as half a theocracy and half a secular state, and concludes that the upcoming elections offer a way out of the current quagmire without bloodshed.