Overview
- Sofer announced on Wednesday that he will not seek re‑election but will remain minister of Aliyah and Integration until the current government’s term ends.
- He made the choice after public and private disagreements with Religious Zionism chairman Bezalel Smotrich centered on the military conscription law for Haredim and related legislation.
- Recordings published months earlier captured Sofer warning that advancing the draft law would inflict electoral damage on the political right, a line of reporting tied to his exit.
- Smotrich publicly expressed regret and praised Sofer’s service, while Sofer’s recent absence from a Knesset vote on ending arrests of Haredi draft evaders was noted as a sign of estrangement.
- The departure raises questions about Religious Zionism’s unity and the stability of the coalition and removes a minister who has led large-scale aliyah efforts during a difficult period.