Ultra-Orthodox draft – www.israelhayom.com

Israel reservists warn of burnout amid Gaza conquest plans

ErezL — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 22:31:34 +0000

While the Government is preparing for Operation "Gideon's Chariots" Phase B and the conquest of Gaza City, the reservists who are once again called to the flag express complex viewpoints on the harsh reality into which they have been thrust. Three voices from the field – an academic policy manager, a fighter from the border area and a veteran reservist – reveal the gap between the political expectations and the human cost of a protracted war.

Since October 7, tens of thousands of reservists have been coping with a new reality: hundreds of days of service that disrupt routine, career and personal life. Some are serving close to 400 days, some are already undergoing a fourth round, and all are dealing with the difficult question – how long will they be able to continue bearing this heavy burden.

Different viewpoints, shared commitment: All see the task as a privilege and mission, but some call for clearer decisions from the leadership and others demand a more equitable distribution of the military burden. The common thread among them: understanding that the reservists are not an inexhaustible resource, and their perseverance depends on clear strategic decisions and broader support from Israeli society.

"Our ability too will have a limit" | Reservist L.

Yesterday, it was reported that tens of thousands of reservists were mobilized for another emergency call-up in preparation for the planned operation to conquer Gaza City. I do not intend to engage in a debate on the merits of the operation, but I want to shine a spotlight on the people who will carry it out.

At times, I feel that reservists are seen by decision-makers as pawns to be moved around at will. But reservists are not an infinite resource – they have personal lives that include family, relationships, careers, studies, and health, both physical and mental. Every new call-up means a halt to all aspects of their personal lives.

On October 7, when the need to defend the home was so clear, no one questioned it when they dropped everything to enlist – understanding that the war would be hard, but time-limited, with a clear goal in sight. They wanted to believe the leadership sending them to battle knew what they were doing. But one cannot assume that this human resource will remain available and ready for an indefinite period.

At the beginning of the Gideon's Chariots operation, I was called up on short notice, along with many others, with the promise that this time, it would be a decisive operation. And indeed, there was a clear rationale: severing Hamas from its food sources, isolating them from the population to be concentrated in humanitarian areas, and defeating them in the combat zones. But in the end, the population remained dispersed across Gaza, the food distribution model failed, and certain areas remained a safe haven for Hamas. The government yielded to the starvation campaign and the subsequent international pressure. Three months later, we returned to nearly square one, but in the meantime, we exhausted reservists for dozens of additional days.

In my role as an academic policy manager for the National Union of Students, my colleagues and I are currently working on a plan for students who are also serving, preparing for their third academic year amid the war.

We are working closely with the IDF and academic institutions to allow students, to the extent possible, to continue their studies while serving. However, it is important to clarify: as much as everyone has the best intentions, nothing will help students more than a significant reduction in the number of reserve duty days. The same applies to business owners, parents, and working people, who are already paying a tremendous occupational and personal price.

The leaders of the state and the military must understand: we cannot continue relying on hundreds of days of reservists for years on end as a routine matter – not because they won't want to, but because even their capacity will eventually run out. This time, you will have to make a real decision, one way or the other.

The writer is an active reservist in the IDF Artillery Corps and an academic policy manager.

"I know exactly what I'm protecting" | Reservist I.

I am a reservist fighter in the Maglan Unit and a resident of Kibbutz Gaza. Since October 7th, I have already served more than 380 days of reserve duty.

Every new call up notice I receive brings me back to the same point: leaving home, my studies as a university student, my job, and the woman I love. It's hard to explain just how disruptive this is to my routine. I wake up with dreams and plans, and all of a sudden, everything is put on hold.

Smoke rises after an explosion in Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the Israel-Gaza border, July 22, 2025(Reuters/Amir Cohen)

There are moments when it's frustrating. To see others continue with their lives while you're once again packing gear and heading to the field. You ask yourself, why is it that I have to bear such a heavy burden?

But then comes the simple answer: because this is my home. This is where I was born and raised. I have no other country. I grew up in the Gaza area, I know every field and every road here, and I know exactly what I'm protecting.

For me, the quiet at the Gaza border is not just a slogan or an empty phrase. It's the personal security of my family, my parents, my siblings. I want to ensure that they – and all the people of Israel – can return to a safe routine, to the peace that every citizen in this country deserves.

"Sacrifice and mission"

380 days of reserve duty is not just sacrifice – it's also a reminder of the strength we have as a society. It's a mission that keeps me going, knowing that every day there, I'm helping restore security and perhaps bringing closer the day we release our brothers and sisters from captivity.

I'm not ignoring the difficulty, but I choose to see the meaning. For me, being a reservist is not just an obligation – it's a privilege. A privilege to fight for our country, for the home we have no other place but.

IDF troops in the Gaza Strip in 2025 (IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

And at the end of the day, I know that when we return, we'll look back with pride. We'll know we stood by our mission, even when it was tough, we didn't give up. Because this is not only our duty – it's our belief in Zionism and the people of Israel, and nothing will take that away from us.

The writer is a reservist fighter in the Maglan Unit and a resident of Kibbutz Kfar Aza.

Recruits who will merit to bear the burden with us | Reservist M.

Summer. Vacation. I'm with the family in the North, between hiking trails and a spring. The WhatsApp group of reservists is buzzing. After three rounds of reserve duty totaling 250 days, all in the Gaza periphery and Gaza Strip, we were supposed to start another round at Rosh Hashanah, but reports about the intention to conquer Gaza have already passed us by and will likely advance and extend our enlistment.

I look around. Most people, including many Haredim now traveling around the country during the summer break, will soon return home and, at the end of the summer, begin preparing for the Jewish High Holidays. In contrast, my friends and I will leave our families again, and return to the heat of the Gaza Strip, the insane humidity, and yes – the risk to our lives.

Defense Minister Israel Katz speaks with IDF Chief Eyal Zamier in August 2025 (Ariel Hermoni / Defense Ministry) Ariel Hermoni / Defense Ministry

I, along with my fellow reservists in the make up only about 3% of the population, but I don't feel like a sucker – because you can't feel that way when you're protecting the security of the people and the land, the security of your children.

What do I feel? Fatigue, burnout, the great difficulty in transitioning back and forth between long reserve duty stints and a routine that's not really a routine, and back again.

What will help me and my friends? More recruits to proudly share the burden with us. For this, the government must advance a real enlistment law, the military must prepare for a significant intake of Haredim – and of course, fighters from other sectors – and our brothers from the Haredi sector must internalize, understand, and live by the words of Hillel the Elder, "If I am not for myself, who will be for me?"

I'm about to turn 45. I could easily be sitting at home and not lying in the dirt of Gaza. So too, my friend A., who is 50, and another friend, M. who shoots the general purpose machine gun in his unit and who is nearing 55. If they can do it, anyone else can, especially if they're half our age.

We'll defeat this war and the enemy from Gaza by ourselves, but Israel has many enemies – and challenges – and to overcome them, we want to see more sidelocks and beards fighting alongside us, shoulder to shoulder. Come, dear brothers, the coffee's on us.

The writer is a fighter in Battalion 8717, Brigade 261.

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Post-Gallant era begins

adin — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 03:00:33 +0000

The dust is beginning to settle the morning after Defense Minister Yoav Gallant's dismissal. While the severe breakdown in trust between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his defense minister may have made separation inevitable, the timing raises serious questions about the underlying motives.

If, as Netanyahu claims, Gallant was removed to advance the war effort, the decision could be defensible. However, if the dismissal was engineered solely to facilitate the passage of the bill exempting ultra-Orthodox men from mandatory military service, it represents a grave miscalculation that could prove costly for the right wing.

The coming days should reveal the true motivation behind the move. Netanyahu has already requested temporary withdrawal of the daycare subsidy bill from the Knesset agenda, citing widespread opposition within his coalition. If he now pivots to aggressively pushing forward the Haredi military service bill, it would clearly indicate that Gallant's dismissal was primarily about passing that law rather than serving military objectives.

Demonstrations against ultra-Orthodox draft at Jerusalem's recruitment office on August 5, 2024. Photo credit: KOKO KOKO

One thing is already certain – we won't see a repeat of last March's major protest that followed Gallant's previous near-dismissal. Whether due to the US election season, protest fatigue, or the ongoing war, the Israeli public's response has been more muted this time. While opposition to the government's actions has intensified, it's taking different forms than street demonstrations.

At this crucial juncture, those advocating for ultra-Orthodox military service should consider two important points:

First, Gallant's dismissal is now a fait accompli, unlike the reversible situation last March. The military service exemption bill, however, has not yet passed. Several coalition members still oppose it. Strengthening their resolve could prevent the bill's passage. We must stay focused on this primary objective rather than the already-settled matter of Gallant's removal.

Second, a significant portion of Israel's religious-Zionist public, including both community members and some of the Knesset representatives from the Religious Zionism party, strongly opposes turning the ultra-Orthodox enlistment issue into a broader campaign against the government. They oppose the protests, road blockades, and calls for economic shutdowns. If the fight against the exemption bill morphs into a general protest movement, we'll lose these crucial allies. Success in blocking the exemption law depends on maintaining support from opponents within the right-wing camp. Their participation is indispensable.

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IDF launches first ultra-Orthodox combat brigade

adin — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 07:00:59 +0000

Israel Hayom learned that the new ultra-Orthodox brigade is advancing despite current tensions surrounding the Haredi military service exemption law and ongoing demonstrations at Jerusalem's recruitment office. The first wave of combat soldiers is set to arrive at the brigade's newly upgraded training base in December.

The training base in the Jordan Valley is undergoing a $46 million transformation, featuring four new synagogues and specialized infrastructure designed to accommodate religious requirements. The facility will serve as the training ground for the first cohort of ultra-Orthodox soldiers who will form part of a standard infantry brigade.

The brigade's establishment falls under Colonel Avinoam Emunah's leadership, reporting to Major General David Zini. Plans call for the first ultra-Orthodox infantry battalion to be combat-ready by November 2025, joining existing religious units. This initiative represents the first formation of a regular infantry brigade "from the ground up" since the 1980s.

The leadership structure is already in place, with appointments including a battalion commander, brigade human resources officer, company commanders, and platoon leaders. Staff training is underway, with plans for the brigade to function as a self-sufficient unit, operating independently without requiring support from other formations.

The IDF's enhanced focus on ultra-Orthodox recruitment stems from operational necessity. A regular brigade can effectively replace dozens of reserve battalions in operational duties, substantially reducing the burden on reserve forces.

Parallel initiatives include the formation of an ultra-Orthodox Border Police company and an aircraft maintenance division within the Air Force, both structured to accommodate religious requirements.

Israeli soldiers from the Netzach Yehuda brigade, the Israeli army battalion for Orthodox soldiers and Yeshiva students, wear prayer shawls during the battalion ground maneuver exercise in the Golan Heights near the Israeli-Syrian border, on May 19, 2014. Photo credit: EPA/Abir Sultan EPA

The recruitment initiative has gained high-level attention, with IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi conducting monthly progress reviews. Senior military leaders have engaged in dialogue with prominent Orthodox rabbis and religious leaders, including a significant meeting with Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch, a leading Lithuanian ultra-Orthodox authority.

The military has adopted a new approach, moving away from viewing itself as an "educator" for the ultra-Orthodox community. Instead, it aims to demonstrate that religious observance and military service can coexist. The strategy focuses on building broad-based support for recruitment, including seeking rabbinical endorsement.

Last Thursday marked the end of the first trimester of the current recruitment year, which set an ambitious target of 4,800 ultra-Orthodox recruits – a significant increase from the 1,800 who enlisted last year. Israel Hayom previously reported that while draft notices were sent to approximately 3,000 ultra-Orthodox men, less than 10 percent appeared at recruitment offices.

Plans are underway to open a dedicated ultra-Orthodox recruitment center by July 2025, staffed entirely by male personnel to accommodate religious sensitivities. However, the IDF has tempered its expectations regarding this approach, acknowledging that issuing 3,000 draft notices does not guarantee enlistment. In response, the military has shifted focus to actively promoting service opportunities within the religious community.

Despite the limited success of the formal draft notices, recruitment has shown encouraging signs, with estimates indicating a several dozen percent increase compared to the same trimester last year (which averaged roughly 600 recruits per trimester). Notably, the majority of new recruits came through channels other than the formal draft notices.

Members of the ultra-Orthodox community demonstrate against the ultra-Orthodox draft at Jerusalem's recruitment office on August 5, 2024. Photo credit: KOKO

While acknowledging that many may not report to recruitment offices, the military maintains its enforcement stance. Those who fail to appear will receive additional notices, following the same protocol applied to the general population, where multiple summons are common before compliance. To date, 720 arrest warrants have been issued for ultra-Orthodox individuals who failed to report. However, rather than immediate arrest, these cases typically result in restricted exit rights from the country, similar to enforcement measures in the general sector.

The ultra-Orthodox community's hesitation toward military service stems from various factors, including reluctance to be pioneers in their community and the prevalent belief that military service conflicts with religious observance. The IDF's current strategy focuses on challenging these perceptions through dialogue with religious leaders and creating conditions that make military service more accessible to the ultra-Orthodox population.

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Ultra-Orthodox protesters clash with police over new draft law, harm ILH reporter

adin — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 01:30:36 +0000

Tensions boiled over on Monday as radical ultra-Orthodox protesters flooded the Tel Hashomer draft office plaza. Demonstrators confronted security forces, pelting them with objects and shouting insults. The situation escalated when protesters hurled a water bottle at Merav Sever, a reporter for Israel Hayom. As the protest turned violent, police began making arrests and detaining individuals.

Video: Israel Hayom journalist Merav Sever attacked by protesters demonstrating against their conscription into the IDF as per the Supreme Court's decision / Credit: Usage under Israeli intellectual property law Article 27a

Organizers rallied under the banner "Stop the extermination trains," with community leaders urging yeshiva students to protest what they described as a "Holocaust" against ultra-Orthodox Judaism. Some protesters attempted to misdirect enlistees and pursued them, trying to dissuade them from joining the military.

For decades, ultra-Orthodox men have been largely exempt from mandatory military service, which is required by law for Israeli citizens at age 18. This exemption has long been a source of tension in Israeli society, with many calling for "equality in burden" – the idea that all segments of society, including the ultra-Orthodox community, should contribute equally to national duties and obligations, particularly military service.

Security forces detaining a protestor. Photo credit: KOKO KOKO

Law enforcement declared the gathering illegal before taking action. Undeterred, protesters began rioting, breaking through barriers and resorting to violence. Mounted police were deployed to disperse the crowd, resulting in three arrests.

The protest is expected to grow as more buses carrying ultra-Orthodox demonstrators from across the country converge on Tel Hashomer. This marks a crucial test for the IDF, which recently issued 1,000 initial draft notices to ultra-Orthodox men holding pay stubs or driver's licenses.

Posters circulating in ultra-Orthodox communities decried the situation: "Since the state's founding, there has never been such a terrible assault on ultra-Orthodox youth in the Holy Land. Never before has the threat of conscription loomed over 1,000 young men in just two days – and this is only the beginning! Those who thought the decree only applied to working individuals are now faced with a letter from the 'Attorney General of Israel' to the army, shattering that illusion."

G., a 21-year-old ultra-Orthodox man shares: "They don't even give weapons to ultra-Orthodox soldiers who enlist. When there's a war, only my rabbi will decide if I'll enter Gaza or not. If Rabbi Landau, who isn't even my rabbi, becomes Chief of Staff, then we might have something to talk about."

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Defense minister approves Haredi draft starting August

miriw — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 05:00:58 +0000

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."

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