With the rise in Haredi population, Israel's Supreme Court has ended the long-standing exemption of ultra-Orthodox Jews from military service, igniting tensions within the nation as new recruits navigate their obligations amid cultural resistance.
Ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel Confront Military Draft for First Time
Ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel Confront Military Draft for First Time
A look into the evolving dynamics of Israel's military conscription as ultra-Orthodox men now face mandatory service following a Supreme Court ruling.
Article text:
In a historic shift, Israel's ultra-Orthodox Jews, previously exempt from military service, are now facing conscription as the nation grapples with changing demographics and pressing security needs. The recent draft has introduced significant tension within Israeli society as many of the Haredim, or God-fearing Jews, confront their new roles as soldiers.
Yechiel Wais, one of the newly drafted, expressed optimism about the military helping him integrate into broader Israeli society. Conversely, Chaim Krausz rejected the call to serve, believing that military involvement compromised his religious principles. Itamar Greenberg, faced with the same predicament, opted to serve his time in military prison rather than engage in combat.
The decision to draft ultra-Orthodox men marks a dramatic departure from Israel's founding principles. At the establishment of the state in 1948, a compromise was reached: ultra-Orthodox men would avoid mandatory military service in exchange for supporting the largely secular government. This arrangement persisted for 75 years until the recent escalation of conflict, sparked by the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023.
As demands on military conscription increased, the ultra-Orthodox community — now comprising 14% of the population, up from 5% in 1948 — found itself under heightened scrutiny. The average family in this community has over six children, and projections suggest that in the next 40 years, Haredim may account for half of all Israeli children.
Last summer, pressure mounted as public frustration grew over the perceived inequity of military service. The Israeli Supreme Court ruled that ultra-Orthodox men must no longer be exempt, resulting in the military issuing draft orders to 10,000 Haredi men. However, only 338 have complied so far, reflecting the community's resistance to mandatory draft service.
Israel now faces one of its most complex societal dilemmas: reconciling the growing influence of the Haredi community with the obligations to serve in a national military amid a backdrop of conflict and tension. The situation raises critical questions about identity, duty, and the future of military service in an evolving society.
In a historic shift, Israel's ultra-Orthodox Jews, previously exempt from military service, are now facing conscription as the nation grapples with changing demographics and pressing security needs. The recent draft has introduced significant tension within Israeli society as many of the Haredim, or God-fearing Jews, confront their new roles as soldiers.
Yechiel Wais, one of the newly drafted, expressed optimism about the military helping him integrate into broader Israeli society. Conversely, Chaim Krausz rejected the call to serve, believing that military involvement compromised his religious principles. Itamar Greenberg, faced with the same predicament, opted to serve his time in military prison rather than engage in combat.
The decision to draft ultra-Orthodox men marks a dramatic departure from Israel's founding principles. At the establishment of the state in 1948, a compromise was reached: ultra-Orthodox men would avoid mandatory military service in exchange for supporting the largely secular government. This arrangement persisted for 75 years until the recent escalation of conflict, sparked by the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023.
As demands on military conscription increased, the ultra-Orthodox community — now comprising 14% of the population, up from 5% in 1948 — found itself under heightened scrutiny. The average family in this community has over six children, and projections suggest that in the next 40 years, Haredim may account for half of all Israeli children.
Last summer, pressure mounted as public frustration grew over the perceived inequity of military service. The Israeli Supreme Court ruled that ultra-Orthodox men must no longer be exempt, resulting in the military issuing draft orders to 10,000 Haredi men. However, only 338 have complied so far, reflecting the community's resistance to mandatory draft service.
Israel now faces one of its most complex societal dilemmas: reconciling the growing influence of the Haredi community with the obligations to serve in a national military amid a backdrop of conflict and tension. The situation raises critical questions about identity, duty, and the future of military service in an evolving society.
