Finance Ministry Criticizes Draft Exemption Law - Advocates for Ultra-Orthodox Conscription

Ministry of Finance has issued a scathing critique of the government's proposed draft exemption law, asserting that its implementation lacks crucial components necessary for success. The ministry's analysis, signed by legal advisor Esi Messing and intended for the Prime Minister's Office, highlights significant concerns regarding the economic and security implications of the proposed legislation.

Economic Impact: The ministry estimates that full conscription of all ultra-Orthodox individuals, who are currently exempt from military service, could yield substantial economic benefits amounting to NIS 42 billion. Additionally, it argues that integrating the ultra-Orthodox population into the labor market through conscription would enhance productivity and generate further economic gains.

Criticism of Government's Proposal: The ministry's analysis sharply criticizes the government's outline for the draft exemption law, citing structural flaws and inadequacies in addressing recruitment targets and economic sanctions. It contends that the proposed mechanism lacks specificity and fails to ensure accountability at the individual and institutional levels.

Effectiveness of Economic Sanctions: The ministry questions the effectiveness of proposed economic sanctions as a means to incentivize enlistment, pointing out loopholes that could undermine their impact. It warns that past instances of budget increases for religious institutions could nullify the intended financial penalties.

Security Concerns: Addressing immediate security needs, the ministry argues that the proposed legislation does not offer a timely response to the requirements of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), thereby jeopardizing national security interests.

Call for Individual-Level Incentives: Emphasizing the need for effective incentives, the ministry advocates for mechanisms that directly motivate individuals to enlist. It suggests that such measures would be more likely to achieve the desired increase in recruitment rates among the ultra-Orthodox population.

Conclusion: The ministry's position paper concludes that the government's current proposal falls short of meeting the imperative to enhance recruitment rates and reduce economic costs associated with exemptions. It underscores the importance of addressing these issues to ensure both national security and economic stability.