Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cancelled a scheduled televised address on a controversial bill that would largely maintain exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men from military service. The move came as former prime minister Naftali Bennett and other opposition leaders harshly criticized the proposed law, calling it a deception that would prevent the drafting of ultra-Orthodox men and worsen the military's manpower shortage. Bennett argued that the bill is designed to mislead the public and ensure continued exemptions, while opposition leader Yair Lapid and former military chief Gadi Eisenkot accused Netanyahu of betraying soldiers and prioritizing political survival over national security. The legislation has sparked widespread condemnation, including from within Netanyahu's own party, with critics warning it undermines the military and rewards draft evasion.