Bennett Proposes National Preparatory Year in Place of 12th Grade

Naftali Bennett proposed abolishing 12th grade and replacing it with a preparatory year for every Israeli student, in a campaign interview published Tuesday. He also said a government he leads would withhold state money from anyone who does not enlist, with the military deciding between army and alternative service. Bennett pledged NIS 1 million toward housing for every active reservist and said he would break up monopolies to reduce living costs. He identified integrating Haredi citizens into military service, employment and the tax base as his most important priority.