'Exemption from Military Service' Even Israeli Fundamentalist Believers Volunteered for Enlistment

Ultra-Orthodox Haredi Jews Exempted from Military Service in Israel
Previously Refused Service... 2,000 Volunteer Enlistments
"This Is a Real War, We Will Do Anything If Ordered"

As Israel and the Palestinian armed faction Hamas have entered a ground war, it has come to attention that a large number of ultra-Orthodox Jewish 'Haredi' believers have voluntarily enlisted in the Israeli military. Although they are exempt from military service, they expressed a desire to "help in any way possible."

On the 1st (local time), Times of Israel (TOI) and others reported that since Hamas's surprise attack on the 7th, about 2,000 Haredi male believers with no prior military experience have voluntarily enlisted in the Israeli military. Haredi female believers also expressed their intention to enlist, but it was reportedly not permitted.

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish 'Haredi' Adhere to Lifestyle Depicted in the Old Testament

The Haredi are ultra-Orthodox Jews with fundamentalist tendencies. As depicted in the Old Testament, men typically wear black suits and brimmed hats, white shirts, and grow long beards and sidelocks, while women wear long skirts and clothing that covers the neck and arms.

Haredi believers, who make up about 12% of Israel's total population, have been exempt from military service since 1948 on the grounds of studying Jewish law. As a group that rejects secularism, they have historically refused military service, which makes their recent enlistment even more noteworthy.

Since Haredi men have no prior military experience, they are not expected to be deployed to actual battlefields but will serve in non-combat roles such as military drivers or cooks. A representative from the Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) commented, "The willingness to share the military burden, even for a short time, is a positive development," adding, "The fact that they serve provides a sense of solidarity throughout society."

A Haredi believer who recently decided to enlist after working with an emergency rescue organization recovering the bodies of those killed by Hamas said to TOI, "This is a real war, and during wartime everyone must do their best. I wanted to help in any way possible," adding, "I don't care what I will be assigned to do in the military. I will do whatever I am told."

In September 2017, the Israeli Supreme Court ruled that the law exempting Haredi from military service was unconstitutional, but due to opposition from Jewish political parties, compulsory service was not enforced. At that time, Haredi rabbis reportedly stated, "Passionate prayers for Israel's security are as important as military service." In contrast, Israeli youths over 18 who are not Haredi must serve at least 32 months.