(ZENIT News / Jerusalem, 11.06.2024).- The Israeli military announced plans to issue draft notices to 7,000 ultra-Orthodox Jewish men, a decision with far-reaching social and political implications. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant approved the new conscription orders, following an earlier round of 3,000 orders issued in July. The goal: bolstering the ranks amid relentless pressures from the prolonged conflict with Hamas in Gaza and with Hezbollah on Israel’s northern border.
As the war drags on, these draft orders signal a shift in Israel’s conscription policy, marking a significant moment in the country’s effort to address longstanding debates over military service exemptions for the ultra-Orthodox community. Though ultra-Orthodox Jews make up roughly 14% of Israel’s Jewish population—around 1.3 million people—the majority of ultra-Orthodox men traditionally receive exemptions, citing religious studies as both a spiritual duty and, in their view, a safeguard for Israel.
Historical Context: A Debate Long in the Making
The exemption of ultra-Orthodox men from military service dates back to Israel’s founding in 1948, when a small group of 400 men was permitted to continue their Torah studies to preserve Jewish tradition in the wake of the Holocaust. Today, this policy extends to nearly 66,000 eligible men, a point of contention among secular Israelis and many within the government. Ultra-Orthodox communities, known as the haredim, assert that their religious study plays a vital role in protecting Israel, equal in importance to military service.
This policy has become a divisive issue in Israeli society, igniting debates that have contributed to multiple election cycles since 2018. Political turmoil over the issue has led to stalled government progress, including five elections in the span of just four years. In 2024, Israel’s Supreme Court took a definitive stance, ruling that the government must end exemptions for yeshiva students unless a legal framework could justify it, increasing pressure on the government to act.
National Security and Political Tensions Collide
Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas and Hezbollah has claimed over 780 lives and injured approximately 4,500 Israeli soldiers. Following the October 7 Hamas attack, Israel mobilized an additional 300,000 reservists, a major strain on the country’s military and economic resources. Israel’s counter-offensive has led to devastating casualties in Gaza, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting 43,374 Palestinian fatalities, mostly civilians.
The ultra-Orthodox exemption has taken on even greater significance amid these losses. As Israel’s military bears the weight of two fronts, the demand for personnel is unprecedented. Yet drafting the haredim remains a challenging prospect; as coalition members, ultra-Orthodox political parties have historically opposed mandatory enlistment for their community, wielding significant influence in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
What’s Next? Challenges to Integration
The draft orders will serve as a litmus test for Israel’s commitment to redefining military responsibilities across all sectors of society. If implemented successfully, they could shift the longstanding paradigm between Israel’s secular and religious populations. But the challenges remain steep: even with the Supreme Court’s mandate, integrating thousands of ultra-Orthodox recruits into the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) will require navigating complex cultural and logistical hurdles.
For now, Israel faces both a war abroad and a battle at home to redefine what national service means for its diverse population. As the country confronts the legacy of its founding policies, the new draft orders may prove a catalyst for one of the most significant social changes in Israel’s modern history. Whether this will lead to lasting cohesion or deepen divisions remains to be seen, but the issue is likely to shape Israel’s path forward in the months and years to come.
Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.
