From 'better to die' to enlistment: Why haredi draft calculus is shifting

A growing number of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men are enlisting in the Israeli military, a notable shift from the traditional stance of many within the community. Recent IDF figures reveal that at least 4,000 haredim enlisted between July 2025 and July 2026, a substantial increase from previous years and significantly higher than the approximately 1,700 who enlisted annually before October 7.

This trend is occurring even as leading haredi rabbis maintain strict opposition to drafting yeshiva students, arguing that their Torah studies are a form of national defense. Extremist protesters continue to harass haredi recruits at induction centers, and political efforts are underway to potentially roll back sanctions against draft evaders. However, these challenges do not seem to be deterring a growing segment of young haredi men.

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Better to die than enlist

According to a Yediot Aharonot report, a key reason for the increased enlistment is the shift towards personal sanctions against individuals, coupled with stepped-up enforcement, arrests of draft dodgers, and the threat of criminal proceedings. This suggests that changing incentives are influencing behavior, particularly among those who may not be fully committed to full-time yeshiva study.

The IDF has also made efforts to create specific frameworks that accommodate haredi soldiers, facilitating their service within the military. While the numbers still fall short of meeting the army's significant manpower shortages, the upward trend indicates a complex and evolving dynamic within the haredi community regarding military service.

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THE HAREDI leadership argues that it is forbidden to draft yeshiva students whose Torah is their profession and that they defend the State of Israel through their studies.