A poll commissioned by the Knesset Channel 99 revealed that two-thirds of Israelis favor jailing Haredim who refuse to join the armed forces.
Almost the same majority backed extending the length of service for Hesder yeshiva students, according to the poll, quoted by the Jerusalem Post.
The Peri Committee recommended treating Haredi draft dodgers as criminals, setting off a mini-political storm.
Habayit Hayehudi (Jewish Home) chairman Naftali Bennett and Likud Beiteinu Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon objected to the concept, but Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid threatened he would break apart the coalition if the committee’s proposal is not accepted by the Knesset.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu called on Ya’alon to tone down his opposition, and the political storm is expected is to disappear.
