Israel's Sephardic Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef launched a blistering attack on both the government and ultra-Orthodox parties Thursday, accusing them of creating a crisis by stalling crucial military draft legislation.
"They kept dragging their feet, and now we're all paying the price," Rabbi Yosef said during a public address, pointing to severe funding cuts now hitting religious institutions across Israel.
The controversy centers on a delayed law that would regulate military service exemptions for religious students. According to Yosef, the government's decision to prioritize judicial reform over the draft law has backfired, leading to a situation where religious schools are facing unprecedented budget restrictions.
In a particularly controversial moment, Yosef suggested that any new draft requirements would disproportionately affect Sephardic Jews, while ultra-Orthodox communities in neighborhoods like Jerusalem's Mea Shearim would continue to resist service. "The Ashkenazi are stronger in their position," he said bluntly.
Despite his criticism of the military service situation, Yosef revealed he has been visiting military bases extensively since the October 7 attacks. He described emotional scenes of secular soldiers covering their heads with tissues to pray, emphasizing that while Israel has "missiles, bombs, and planes," spiritual protection through Torah study remains vital for national security.