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Two opinion pieces published in The Jerusalem Post this week attack a reported agreement between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and ultra-Orthodox political parties on military enlistment and budgets, describing it as a deepening of internal divisions while Israel fights a multi-front war.

The articles, written by Ben Caspit and Sharren Haskel, separately criticize the conduct of ultra-Orthodox leaders and call for national unity during wartime. Both were published in late June 2026, amid reported protests over conscription of yeshiva students.

Coverage Comparison

Ben Caspit's piece, published June 25, focuses on what he calls a "rotten deal" struck by Netanyahu with his "non-Zionist partners." He argues the agreement, which reportedly includes enlistment laws and budgets, deepens the rift between different groups in Israeli society while the military and public bear the war's costs.

Sharren Haskel's article, published the previous day, takes a broader view, arguing that Israel's greatest threat is internal division rather than external enemies. She emphasizes the need for unity, citing a conversation with the father of a fallen soldier who urged politicians to stop using politics to "tear and divide."

Both writers are critical of ultra-Orthodox political leadership, but their emphases differ: Caspit stresses the economic and social burden on the state, while Haskel focuses on democratic norms and the importance of respectful discourse.

Key Claims

  • The deal: Netanyahu made a deal with ultra-Orthodox parties that includes enlistment laws, budgets, and political moves that deepen the rift between different groups in Israel, according to Caspit.
  • IDF losses: Over 1,000 IDF soldiers have been killed since October 7, and tens of thousands have been wounded or suffer from mental injury and post-traumatic stress, Caspit reports.
  • IDF collapse: Caspit claims the IDF is "collapsing inward" while the country faces existential threats.
  • Haredi goals: Haskel asserts that the goal of haredi parties is to grant absolute immunity to draft dodgers and fortify political privileges, and that their worldview is dangerous to society.
  • National resilience: Haskel argues that national resilience during wartime relies on unity, and that the haredi parties' failure to pass the original draft of the exemption law contributed to escalation.
  • Protests: Both authors reference protests led by ultra-Orthodox groups, with Caspit specifically mentioning Yitzhak Goldknopf, a senior figure who allegedly used his vehicle with a security siren to block roads. Haskel describes the protests as a "violent strike against freedom of movement."

Perspectives

  • Ben Caspit (Columnist, The Jerusalem Post): Views the Netanyahu–ultra-Orthodox deal as destructive, describing it as an "acquired immune system failure" and accusing haredi parties of "milking the state's dwindling udders" while contributing nothing.
  • Sharren Haskel (Columnist, The Jerusalem Post): Emphasizes the need for unity and respectful debate, criticizing haredi political tactics as coercive and dangerous. She calls for dialogue between MKs from different camps and warns against forcing one lifestyle on another.