Bezalel Smotrich says army shortage reports over ultra-Orthodox exemption is a 'lie'

Live Blog Update| War on Iran 13 October 2026 14:56 BST Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has denied reports from some military figures that the army is facing a manpower shortage as a result of ultra-Orthodox not enlisting. “I maintain that the claim that the burden on those serving is heavy because the Haredim do not serve is a complete lie,” Smotrich said at a campaign event. Ultra-Orthodox, or Haredi, men receive an exemption from military service in Israel to study the Torah, but many politicians have been pushing for the exemption to end.