Dagan: I will hold gov't to promises on electoral reform
By JPOST.COM STAFF
Former Mossad chief Meir Dagan said on Tuesday morning that he will hold the ruling coalition to its promise to change the electoral system and replace the Tal Law.Speaking to Israel Radio, Dagan stated that "we have the promise of [Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu] and his deputy (Vice Premier Shaul Mofaz) to change the electoral system, and we also enjoy the support of the majority of Knesset. Let's give them the credit that they can and will make the change."Dagan, chairman of the "Yesh Sikui” (“There is a Chance”) movement, has presented a bill drafted by his Yesh Sikui movement, including calls to raise the electoral threshold from 2% to 3%, and to reduce the number of ministers to 16."Perhaps I am being naive, but I think that politicians want to do good for the state of Israel," he said. "If they are not doing so, it is my job as a citizen to lobby them."Turning to the Tal Law, which allowed haredi men studying full-time in yeshiva to indefinitely postpone their military service, and which the High Court of Justice struck down in February, Dagan said that he doesn't believe in compromises on the IDF draft. "We have a law that says that every 18-year-old has to join the army," he said.Asked if authorities should take the haredim by force to the drafting office, Dagan responded in the affirmative.
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