Gaza IDF squad
The IDF has reportedly completed its siege of Tel Al-Sultan in Gaza.
With Israel mobilizing an additional 60,000 reserves for its operations in Gaza City, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is encountering challenges regarding the military draft exemptions for the ultra-Orthodox community.
Back during Israel’s 1948 War of Independence, there was an agreement made by then-Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion to exempt full-time Torah students from military service. This arrangement, known as “Torato Manuto,” which translates to “his law is his profession,” initially applied to a limited number of students.
Today, this community makes up about 15% of Israel’s population of 10 million, and projections suggest it could grow by a third by 2050, primarily due to a high birth rate.
Netanyahu Struggles with Coalition
As the Knesset took a summer break at the end of July, Netanyahu’s coalition faced the potential for collapse over the conscription debate, amid escalating conflict with Hamas.
LIKUD MP Yuli Edelstein commented that the ideal scenario would see full-time Torah students continue their studies, while those not engaged in religious learning would serve in the IDF. He mentioned, “The Army needs them, and it’s manageable. The challenge lies in getting Haredim to agree on a mechanism for oversight.”
In July, Edelstein was removed from his position as chairman of the Knesset’s Foreign and Defense Committee after he publicly stated that ultra-Orthodox leaders were unwilling to compromise on the issue.
There was considerable backlash when a hyper-Orthodox political party didn’t support military exemptions for Haredi men. This led to some coalition members withdrawing support, yet they chose not to engage in tactics that might topple the government.
Warnings and Appeals
With the Knesset reconvening next month, Netanyahu has limited time to negotiate a resolution to this issue. He expressed, “We believe that those who join the Army as Haredi should maintain that identity, and the Army would support that.” However, he acknowledged that not all rabbis back Haredi enlistment.
Ido Keren, the founder of a military reserve organization aimed at universal conscription, argues that enforcing a universal draft is crucial for security and equality in Israeli society. He emphasized the need for Haredim to contribute, saying it’s not logical for a segment of the population to avoid serving while others bear the burden.
He pointed out that while many Haredim can serve, they currently aren’t, leading to an ongoing reliance on reserves.
Historical Context of the Debate
One former lawmaker reflected on the historical roots of this debate, tying it back to the establishment of the state of Israel and the significant role that Torah studies were believed to play in national identity.
Two decades ago, the Israeli High Court deemed the draft exemption for Haredim illegal due to issues of equality, and since then, legislative attempts to resolve the matter have been repeatedly stymied.
Ross noted that the IDF has shown hesitance in drafting Haredim due to cultural issues, suggesting that integrating them could disrupt the existing military environment.
Call for Unity in Defense
During a recent visit to the Gaza Strip, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir called for enlistment across all demographics, asserting that security demands participation from every citizen. “This is a national responsibility,” he remarked.
In the meantime, the IDF is making strides in its approach toward religious soldiers. A recent initiative allowed numerous ultra-Orthodox recruits to join a new brigade that permits strict religious observance while serving.
In June, the IDF announced plans to issue a substantial number of draft orders to ultra-Orthodox Yeshiva students while increasing efforts to prevent evasion of military service.
“We’re attempting to change a status quo that’s been in place for decades,” Edelstein said. “This change, while daunting, is essential.”
The pressing conditions have left the government with few alternatives, both from military and societal standpoints.
