IDF chief pushes Knesset to help draft ultra-Orthodox as manpower concerns grow

The Israeli Defense Forces are sounding the alarm over a critical manpower shortage, with Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir making a forceful plea to the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee to address the issue. Zamir has warned of the IDF's potential to "collapse into itself" if the severe lack of soldiers is not rectified, highlighting the urgent need for legislative action to expand the military's ranks.

Central to Zamir's proposal is the significant increase in the drafting of ultra-Orthodox (haredi) men into the military. This push comes amid ongoing security concerns and the demands of maintaining forces on multiple fronts, including Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank. The IDF estimates a need for around 15,000 additional soldiers, half of whom would be combat fighters, by early 2027.

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I am raising 10 red flags before the IDF collapses into itself.

However, the path forward is fraught with political challenges. The government's reliance on ultra-Orthodox political parties for its coalition makes any move to significantly increase haredi conscription a sensitive issue. Analysts suggest that even if new legislation were passed, its implementation could be hampered by political considerations, particularly given Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's dependence on these parties. The Jerusalem Post, in reporting on this matter, underscores the strategic imperative for Israel to bolster its military strength while acknowledging the complex political landscape that complicates these essential security needs.

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Even in peacetime, Israel would still need more soldiers – not fewer – on the border in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank.