Naftali Bennett Addresses Country On Major Issues, Through Facebook

Jerusalem, 22 August, 2021 (TPS) -- Israel Prime Minister Naftali Bennett presented an explanation to the Israeli public about his government’s plans for the continued fight against the Coronavirus pandemic, keeping the schools open this coming year, the passage of a new state budget, and the government’s new plan to allow for military exemptions to the ultra-orthodox sector and their absorption into the Israeli workforce.

Bennett released the message two weeks ahead of the upcoming Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. This being the year 2021, the Prime Minister, of course, chose to make his announcement on Facebook.

As TPS reported earlier, the new plan for Haredim and military service will see the age for exemption from IDF service for young men from the ultra-orthodox sector be lowered to just 21 years of age. That is to say, once someone from Israel’s Haredi (ultra-orthodox) sector reaches the age of 21 he will no longer be eligible for the draft and, as such, will be able to end his Yeshiva studies.

That will be the case for the next two years. After 24 months, the exemption age will be raised again to 22. Then, after another 12 months later, the exemption age will be raised to 23.

The ultra-orthodox youth will also have the option of joining Israel’s national emergency services system.

The plan for lowering the exemption age will take effect upon completion of the legislative process in the Knesset. The ministerial committee on legislation has been authorized to deal with the issue.

Declaring that his government “made history” today, as well as kept its promise to the Israeli public with regards to the ultra-orthodox sector in Israel and military service, Benet said, “As we promised: the government has now approved the reduction of the age of exemptions for the young ultra-Orthodox to age 21. It is a historic day of a real social revolution, and neutralizing a political and social mine of long years – which we solved today with good atmosphere, mutual concessions and agreements.”
“The Orthodox public has earned that it will be able to go out to work and acquire a professional education, and the Israeli public has earned the increase of the labor market and carry the economic burden.”

The Prime Minister said that any attempt to force the military draft on the ultra-orthodox sector would require the deployment of tanks in the streets of Bnei Brak.

“We achieved this because it is a government that does not fold in the face of political interests, but does what is right for the country, this is a move that could not happen without a unity government.”

On the continued Covid Crisis, Bennet updated the Israeli public on the new national program and the upcoming school year which is, as of now, scheduled to begin on time on September 1.

“Only if we all work together can we overcome the eruption of the corona delta strain. So I will start my personal request: Do not be indifferent. Act!” Said the Prime Minister. “Wear masks, insist that everyone around you wear masks, convince people to get vaccinated immediately, bring your aunt to get vaccinated at the vaccination center and if necessary one of the dozens of night centers we opened this week.”

“Only in the partnership between the government and the citizens, between the various sectors — that we do not blame each other, but give each other a shoulder — will we win.”

The Prime Minister explained that the government’s goal is to preserve the health of the citizens of Israel and also to preserve the economy of Israel and the livelihood of the citizens of Israel.

He said that the Israeli government is carrying out dozens of “gaining time” operations to curb the rise of critically ill patients in Israel, until the third vaccination campaign does its work the Delta variant is overcome.

The Prime Minister exclaimed that his government had strengthened the hospitals, and the standards of doctors and nurses, added hospital beds for critically ill patients and also strengthened the health funds and activated IDF soldiers to assist.

Hundreds of vaccination stations around the country were opened last week, including special night vaccination centers. There has been increased enforcement against failure to wear masks where required, the holding of events that are not in accordance with Coronavirus regulations, and all people coming into Israel from abroad are tested for the virus.

After delineating all of the above, Prime Minister Bennett laid out what he and his government expect the citizens of Israel to do.

Bennet called on Israelis to show responsibility, get vaccinated as soon as their group allows, ensure that their entire families get vaccinated, wear masks, and avoid large gatherings, even where permitted.

“We have made sure to make a third life-saving vaccine available to the citizens of Israel (the only ones in the world at the moment. The rest of the world is already following us). Your job is to come and get vaccinated to save your life and keep Israel open.”

Bennett outlined his plan to keep the schools open this coming year. Post-primary students will be vaccinated and will study as usual from September 1.

A class that does not have at least 70% of students who have been vaccinated (first shot) will not be able to study in the classroom until the peak of the epidemic passes if they are in a red locality.

The Prime Minister is headed this week to Washington for a meeting with President Biden. He said that the issues on the agenda for their meeting include Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, strengthening ties between Israel and the U.S., and, first and foremost, they will deal with Iran’s continued acts of aggression and a plan to halt them.

Upon his return to Israel, Bennett will meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. He is also expected to go to Egypt to meet with its President.

The goal, said the Prime minister, is to strengthen Israel’s friendly relations with these countries, to establish Israel’s position in the region and in the world, to strengthen the Israeli economy and high-tech, and to ensure Israel’s military superiority over its enemies.

As for Israel’s state budget, Bennett said that the government is working around the clock on advancing the budget ahead of the Knesset vote.

“Yes, after three years of chaos, a budget for the State of Israel!” he exclaimed.