The leader of the Lithuanian Haredi community, Rabbi Dov Lando (94) called on yeshiva and kollel students to disconnect as much as possible from the outside world, in a talk he gave at Mir Yeshiva.
This was quoted today (Wednesday) in the "Yated Ne'eman" newspaper. "We declare before all people and the world, no young man and no married student will go to the army, in any way or form."
He also said, "A person who is curious about Torah is not interested in current affairs. A person who learns Torah all year recognizes its greatness and its influence on the entire world, that it and only it protects and saves."
Yesterday (Tuesday), Shas chairman Minister Aryeh Deri and the advisor to United Torah Judaism chairman Yitzhak Goldknopf demanded that Netanyahu pass the conscription law by the end of the month (October).
They also threatened that the Haredi parties would refuse to vote for the state budget until the law is approved.
According to the Conscription Law, the age of exemption for Haredi yeshiva students (from IDF service) will be lowered from 26 to age 21 for a duration of three years. After that, the age of exemption will be age 22 for one year, and then increased to age 23. The recruitment targets for Haredim to join the IDF are 1,566 in the first year, an additional 125 in the second year, and another 136 in the third year, according to the INSS.
Netanyahu's circle told members of the Haredi parties that Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is creating bureaucratic difficulties in passing the conscription law.
Although Gallant said he would send representatives of the Defense Ministry to the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee to discuss the law, in practice, it seems that is not what is happening.