In April 2024, I traveled to the US for a lecture tour and to reconnect with tourists I had previously guided in Israel. One question came up again and again: When will Netanyahu step down as Prime Minister?
My answer was always the same: I wouldn’t bet against him. Israel’s political structure and Netanyahu’s political skill make him incredibly resilient. But I added—if there’s anything that could bring down his coalition, it’s the ultra-sensitive issue of drafting Haredim (ultra-Orthodox Jews) into the army.
It’s one of the most complex and emotionally charged issues in Israeli society, going back to the country’s founding. In this article, I’ll briefly review its history, recent developments, and initiatives before and after the Israel–Hamas war.
If I had to sum it up in two sentences, they would be:
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The issue of Haredi army service is one of the most profound rifts within the Jewish public, between the Haredi and non-Haredi sectors.
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Change is underway, but progress is slow.
So, put on gloves—this is a highly sensitive issue.
In the photo at the top of the article, an Ultra-Orthodox man with a sign: Jail and not the military.
A Short History
In 1948, David Ben-Gurion agreed with Haredi leaders not to draft 400 yeshiva students who were actively studying Torah. Why did Ben-Gurion agree? First, the number was small. Second, even in a secular Jewish state, Torah study was seen as a core value of Jewish culture. After more than 90% of European yeshiva communities were destroyed in the Holocaust, it made sense to support their revival in the new Jewish state. Ben-Gurion also believed (mistakenly) that the Haredim would fade away in a modern state that allowed Jews to be secular without fear of losing their identity.
By 1977, when Menachem Begin came to power, that number had doubled to around 800. Begin, for both political and ideological reasons, removed all caps on draft exemptions—any Haredi man who declared he was studying Torah could avoid the draft. Today, about 60,000 men in each age group receive exemptions.
It’s crucial to understand Israel’s political system: to form a government, coalition partners are required. Begin needed Haredi party support and traded draft exemptions for political backing. That alliance between Likud and the Haredi bloc remains strong and has played a major role in Netanyahu’s political longevity.
A Legal and Political Tug-of-War
Over the years, numerous military and parliamentary committees have warned that the exemption numbers are unsustainable. Both right-wing and left-wing governments preserved the exemptions to maintain coalition stability.
Technically, Haredi men don’t receive immediate exemptions but repeated draft deferrals until age 28, when they are fully exempt. Exit points exist depending on age and number of children. For example, a 24-year-old with four children might qualify for exemption.
As long as someone is officially studying in a yeshiva, they can’t legally work. This creates severe economic consequences: lost tax revenue, delayed workforce entry, investment in irrelevant education, and sometimes illegal labor (under-the-table jobs for students on record).
This arrangement lasted until 1998, when Israel’s High Court struck it down for violating equality before the law. Governments tried various workaround laws and asked the court for patience. That patience ended. In July 2023, the court ruled the exemption system illegal. In June 2024, it dropped a bombshell: the defense system must now issue draft orders to Haredi men. More dramatically, it halted funding to yeshivas for students not serving in the military—cutting off the financial lifeline of the Haredi Torah world.
The Army’s Changing Position
For years, the IDF opposed mass Haredi conscription, citing limited need, concerns about mixed-gender units, dietary restrictions, and the fact that many Haredim lack basic skills like English, math, and technical knowledge.
After the 1998 court ruling, the Tal Committee was formed. It recommended draft deferrals for yeshiva study from ages 18 to 22, followed by a “decision year”: continue studying or serve in a shortened military or national service term. It also proposed expanding Haredi units in the army. Though the Tal Law passed, it was later struck down. Leading Haredi rabbis opposed it in a joint letter. The community itself wasn’t monolithic—some supported, others rejected.
The law expired in 2005, with the government admitting it had failed. Very few enlisted. To qualify as a draft-exempt Haredi, a man must study 45 hours a week with certification from a yeshiva head.
Over the years, inflated or false yeshiva data has been uncovered. It’s also become harder to distinguish between Haredim and conservative Religious Zionists—figures like Ministers Ben Gvir and Smotrich are not Haredi but are often grouped with them due to religious conservatism.
So Why Don’t Haredim Want to Enlist?
Their official arguments:
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Torah study is spiritually protective—equal in value to military service.
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Fear of secularization: entering the army risks abandoning Haredi life; the push to enlist them is seen as an attempt to reshape their society.
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The army is not religious enough—kitchens lack strict kosher certification, and many observant soldiers lose their religiosity during service.
An unofficial but critical reason: Why enlist if political power allows you to avoid it? Who volunteers for hardship without a compelling reason?
There’s a growing gap between rabbinic/political leadership and the average Haredi citizen. Many would enlist if given rabbinic approval. There’s also a divide between Ashkenazi and Sephardi Haredim.
The Present Moment (Mid-2025)
Since the Israel–Hamas war, the draft debate has intensified. The army faces a severe manpower shortage. Meanwhile, secular and Religious Zionist Israelis—men and women—are doing hundreds of reserve days a year. This burden is becoming unbearable, both financially and emotionally. Many parents are asking: Why should our children risk their lives while others don’t?
Some reservists have passed 300 days of service per year—an unsustainable toll on families, careers, and mental health.
Time for Smart, Not Righteous, Choices
At 48, I understand that life is about choosing between being right and being wise. Israel must be wise.
Being right would mean demanding all Haredim enlist immediately. Being wise means acknowledging that this is a process. First, the more modern and flexible segments of the Haredi community will join. Then others might follow. The most rigid elements may never enlist.
The Haredi community is slowly evolving. There are now “modern Haredim” advocating for core education (English, math) and even army service. Some hi-tech companies have promised job opportunities for Haredim who enlist, encouraging change through economic incentives.
Final Thoughts
Israel is 77 years old—no longer young, yet still suffering from growing pains. Haredi conscription is one of them.
It’s hard to predict anything in the Middle East, but one thing is clear: we are still far from resolving this issue or achieving equal burden-sharing in national defense.
As of writing (mid-July 2025), there’s still no ceasefire and no return of the hostages. Among many Israelis—including my circle—there’s growing fatigue. The war feels directionless, draining our youth and resources. Perhaps we’re nearing a time of quiet—and the return of tourists.
If you or someone you know is considering visiting Israel in 2025 or 2026, I’d be happy to help plan your trip. Now’s the time to start.
Warm regards,
Hilik