“Israel will not survive without drafting the ultra-Orthodox,” Meirav Cohen warns

Lawmaker Meirav Cohen has placed the conscription of the ultra-Orthodox at the heart of the election campaign following the submission of the B'Yachad list, led by Naftali Bennett, to the Central Election Committee.

In an interview with Arutz Sheva-Israel National News, she described the upcoming elections as "historic" and presented the former Prime Minister as a leader capable of meeting the security and social challenges facing Israel.

“We need universal conscription, an end to draft evasion and the dismantling of political control over ultra-Orthodox schools,” she said.

For Cohen, the debate is now no longer just about equality among citizens, but about the very survival of the country. “Without this, there will no longer be a State of Israel. Who will defend the borders?” she declared, referring to the multiple military fronts, the soldiers who have fallen in combat, and the roughly 26,000 wounded.

The lawmaker also acknowledged the divisions within the bloc opposing Benjamin Netanyahu, which notably includes Naftali Bennett, Gadi Eisenkot, and Avigdor Liberman. However, she called on the different parties to coordinate their campaign in order to prevent any party from falling below the electoral threshold and to increase voter turnout.

She said the bloc’s leaders would need to meet after the election and choose a joint candidate for prime minister based on the results. “We will not let any personal considerations stand in the way, because the State of Israel is in danger,” she assured.

Meirav Cohen finally addressed the changes made to the list and the absence of several prominent figures in eligible positions, acknowledging a "difficult" decision, but one necessary for the renewal of the political leadership.