In a move that could reshape Israel's military conscription landscape, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has greenlit the issuance of initial draft notices to Haredi men as early as next month. This decision, announced Tuesday, marks a potential turning point in the long-standing exemption of the Haredi community from mandatory military service, intensifying the national debate on equality in civic duties and the integration of this sector into broader Israeli society.
BREAKING: Israel to send out draft orders to around 3,000 Haredim/ultra orthodox in the next month...if you thought things couldn't get more EXPLOSIVE in this wild country!
— Yonah Jeremy Bob (@jeremybob1) July 9, 2024
Gallant approved on Tuesday the sending of initial draft notices for assessment and classification processes to potential recruits from the Haredi sector in August. The notices are expected to be sent to Haredi individuals who are not studying in yeshivas, following verification of their non-student status. It was also decided that over the next month, a dedicated information campaign would be launched for the Haredi public, making the service tracks adapted for Haredi more accessible.
Gallant and IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi agreed under the principle of "effective enlistment" – a strategy aimed at ensuring meaningful service opportunities for Haredi recruits and boosting overall enlistment numbers from this sector. After not appearing during the two previous discussions, the Head of the IDF's Manpower Directorate, Major General Yaniv Asur, arrived at the discussion on the draft law in the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
Committee Chairman MK Yuli Edelstein demanded clear answers regarding the number of forces needed to be recruited and how many notices would be issued. "I expect to hear clear answers today with targets, capabilities, and details about the thought process behind the numbers." Asur's response was that he "cannot estimate." During the discussion, the Head of the Manpower Directorate said that over the next two years, in addition to the 1,700 already recruited this year to complete the 3,000 recruits per year, an additional 3,000 recruits would be needed. "A total of about ten thousand soldiers."
