Bereaved Parents Lash Out At Draft Law: ‘Differentiates One Blood From Another’

The Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee held a heated discussion on Monday morning about the new Draft Law proposal submitted by the committee chairman, MK Boaz Bismuth.

The discussion is taking place against a backdrop of growing public criticism and opposition from bereaved families, who express deep concern over the implications of the proposed law.

During the session, particularly sharp statements were heard from family members who lost their loved ones in the recent war. Haggai Luber, father of Yonatan z”l, came to the committee despite preparations for his son’s upcoming memorial.

He warned that “this law is dangerous from a security, social, and leadership perspective,” adding that the proposal “does not even begin to meet the army’s needs.”

Luber, whose sons have served for long periods in reserve duty since October 7 despite losing their brother, claimed that the law discriminates between different groups in the population. “You differentiate in this law between one kind of blood and another… If you are born into the right sector, your life is much safer in the State of Israel.”

In his speech, Luber harshly criticized coalition members: “Members of the coalition whom I voted for, I call on you to oppose this law entirely. Whoever votes in favor – we will hold them politically accountable.”

Itzik Bonzel, father of Amit z”l who fell in December 2023, said: “I call on MK Porush: look me in the eyes. Do you think my children should risk their lives and give their very souls? You can’t even look me in the eyes.”

He added: “I buried my son Amit, while there are charedim in this country walking the streets doing nothing, not those who truly study Torah. It’s time you demand equality. Whoever learns should learn, and whoever doesn’t should put on a uniform and enlist. And at the same time: Why are you not talking about the Arabs in Israel? That sector that lives at our expense while our children crawl through the sand.”

MK Meir Porush (Agudath Yisrael) did not respond to Bonzel, but also expressed his opposition to the proposed law, stating that “The law discriminates against the charedim. It must be torn up. I find it difficult to listen to the words of mockery and ridicule directed at Torah scholars.”

MK Boaz Bismuth said at the opening of the discussion on the Draft Law: “On this day, the entire people of Israel are watching us. I would dare say, even the generations before us and those who will come after. This is a rare moment in the nation’s history. The Knesset is required to decide not just on a law, and not just on a historic law. This is a law belonging to the State of Israel as a whole. It was born from the existential need to strengthen state security, while also preserving society’s delicate fabric, the world of Torah, and the right to live here together.”

“I serve as chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, but for me as a Jew, at this time I feel that my forefathers and foremothers of past generations, who gave their lives to preserve the Torah of Israel and our ancient heritage,are also looking at me. Beyond the urgent security need, the deeper background of this law includes a resonant statement by us as the Knesset and as a state: Torah study, too, has enormous value as it safeguards the spiritual core of our people.”

He continued: “This law, with the changes we will surely make during the deliberations, will reveal a simple truth: whoever votes for it votes for the future of the State of Israel. Whoever opposes it proves they prefer political games over national security, personal position over national interest. For the first time, we present a clear, stable, empirical framework based on targets, in full dialogue with the army. A framework that creates certainty for the IDF, for the Torah world, and for all Israeli citizens. At long last, there will be order. I say from here: this law is good for the country. It restores trust, restores justice, and eventually will strengthen unity among us. The era of uncertainty is ending.”

He added: “This is a moment when history is testing us. Future generations will ask how we ensured a stronger army, a more just society, a more united nation. I ask you: do not approach today’s discussions as politicians. Rise to the moment and deliberate not only about the law, but about our future. This Draft Law is a promise that Israel learns from the past, strengthens in the present, and secures its future.”

“I pray to the G-d of Israel that He helps us overcome our internal disagreements so we may end our troubles and suffering, and together—coalition and opposition—carry out a historic correction for the good of the entire nation.”

The head of the IDF Planning and Manpower Administration, Brig. Gen. Shay Taib, said: “We need a model that ensures combat-fit soldiers and combat-support personnel, and the right way to do that is through an age-based model. Without a model that looks at who actually arrives, it will be difficult to match what we need with who comes.”