What's next for Gallant after Knesset resignation over ultra-Orthodox draft
Former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has made the battle against ultra-Orthodox exemptions from military service his key policy issue.
Announcing his resignation from the Knesset on Wednesday, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant attacked a new law being negotiated by the government that would allow many ultra-Orthodox men to avoid the country's mandatory army service. In his resignation speech, Gallant, of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, accused the Israeli premier of undermining state security for the sake of personal political interests.
Although the details of the bill are still being ironed out within the coalition government, Gallant said he refuses to be part of the legislation, which he described as "contrary to the needs of the Israeli military and to the security of the state of Israel." He noted that he was removed from his role as defense minister last November over his insistence on drafting the ultra-Orthodox.
Israelis divided
The law currently being finalized would exempt thousands of young, unmarried ultra-Orthodox men over the age of 18 who study in yeshivas from military service.
