Ultra-Orthodox Jews, Once Exempt Even During Wartime,
Now Face Conscription Amid Rising Public Resentment in Israel
Haredi Religious Parties Push Back, Threaten to Leave Coalition
Controversy has erupted as Israeli authorities have decided to deliver conscription notices to ultra-Orthodox Jewish (Haredi) men, who had not been drafted even during times of war. Israel is moving forward with this conscription due to growing public resentment over Haredi men avoiding mandatory military service, as well as a severe shortage of military personnel. However, Haredi religious parties are threatening to leave the coalition if conscription is enforced, raising the risk of the Israeli cabinet collapsing.
Israeli Military: "Conscription Notices Sent to 54,000 Haredi Men"
According to The Times of Israel, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) decided on July 6 (local time) to send conscription notices to 54,000 Haredi men who are eligible for military service. The IDF stated, "We plan to distribute the notices in several stages throughout this month," and emphasized, "There is an increased need for combat and frontline support personnel. We will also strengthen penalties for draft dodgers and deserters from all sectors."
Haredi men have not been drafted in the past due to exemptions from military service. The term "Haredi" refers to ultra-Orthodox Jews who strictly adhere to religious communal life according to the Torah, the Jewish holy scripture. They follow the dress and lifestyle prescribed in the scriptures, wearing white shirts, black suits, and black-brimmed hats, while growing their beards and sidelocks long. They have been exempted from military service and taxes because they are considered a group that preserves Jewish cultural and academic traditions that were nearly eradicated by Nazi Germany's genocide of Jews during World War II.
Among the Haredi, who number about 1.3 million and make up roughly 14% of Israel's total population, approximately 66,000 men are eligible for conscription. After the Israeli Supreme Court unanimously ruled in June of last year that "military service exemptions are illegal and the government must proceed with conscription," the government has been identifying Haredi men subject to the draft.
Haredi Parties Pressure: "Will Leave Coalition Unless Conscription Law Is Eased"
However, Haredi religious parties in Israeli politics are strongly opposing the conscription decision, causing the government's draft plan to face significant obstacles. These parties are pressuring Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet by threatening to leave the coalition unless the mass conscription of Haredi men is halted.
The Shas party and United Torah Judaism (UTJ), both Haredi religious parties, stated in a declaration, "If the government bill regarding Haredi conscription, which was agreed upon with the government, does not pass in the Knesset, we will boycott parliamentary activities," and added, "We may leave the coalition and vote in favor of a bill to dissolve the parliament." They are pressuring the government by making it clear that if the conscription plan is not amended as they demand, they will leave the coalition and bring down the cabinet.
Shas and UTJ are demanding that the planned number of Haredi conscripts for this year be limited to 4,800, instead of the originally planned 54,000, with a gradual increase to 5,700 next year and 9,000 over the next five years.
This demand is causing further deliberation within the Netanyahu cabinet. While the government needs to proceed with conscription as originally planned to address the shortage of military personnel, there is a high risk of the cabinet collapsing if Shas and UTJ leave the coalition.
In the Israeli parliament, Shas holds 11 seats and UTJ holds 7 seats. The current Netanyahu coalition has 68 seats, barely exceeding the majority threshold of 60 seats. If these parties leave the coalition, the government will lose its majority, potentially triggering new elections.
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