Haredi Conscription

The Israel Defense Forces, as the ‘people’s army,’ have long served a dual purpose as the protector of the state and as an institution where Israelis from almost all sectors of society serve together, and forge shared experiences a values.

The exemption granted to the ultra-Orthodox community from mandatory service in the IDF has served as a point of contention for decades and is compounded by the fast growth rate of the Haredi community leading to over 10,000 annual exemptions for men of conscription age who are registered as yeshiva students.

As a result of the ongoing war and Israel’s increasing security needs, the Ministry of Defense and the IDF have demanded additional manpower and proposed changes to the service model that would exacerbate the heavy burden on those who are already serving, increasing inequalities between them and sectors who have not taken up this mantle.

The vast majority of Israelis now support changes to the model of service to ensure a more equal sharing of the country’s security burden.

With the current conscription law and the exemptions it granted to yeshiva students nearing expiration, there is currently no legal arrangement validating exemption of the ultra-Orthodox men from conscription. This has created an additional point of contention as it has removed the legal basis for funding the religious institutions attended by students who do not serve in the IDF.

So Haredi Men Must Be Drafted. What Now?

A Timeline of the Development of the Haredi Exemption Law

Basic Principles for a Fair Draft Law

Ultra-Orthodox Draft Challenges and Objectives