Israel grants de facto military exemption to ultra-Orthodox men amid personnel crisis

Israel's parliament, the Knesset, has approved two contentious regulations that effectively grant exemptions from mandatory military service to ultra-Orthodox Jewish men. The legislation, passed after lengthy sessions, temporarily suspends detention and punitive measures for Haredim who evade conscription. This move is expected to halt the induction of ultra-Orthodox men into the army for at least several months.

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The decisions, passed after lengthy sessions, temporarily suspend detention and punitive measures for Haredim who evade conscription.

The first regulation, passed by a narrow 58-54 vote, freezes legal actions against draft dodgers. The second regulation elevates the study of the Torah and religious education to a "founding and fundamental value of the State of Israel." These measures are widely viewed as significant concessions by Prime Minister Netanyahu's Likud party to ultra-Orthodox political factions, aimed at securing their support in the general elections scheduled for October 27.

Shlomit Ravitsky Tur-Paz from the Israel Democracy Institute suggested Netanyahu seeks to ensure that only the ultra-Orthodox parties will negotiate coalition formation with him after the elections. While most Jewish men and women in Israel are subject to mandatory military service, ultra-Orthodox men have long received de facto exemptions for religious study. Annually, approximately 13,000 Haredi men reach conscription age, but fewer than 10% enlist.

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Netanyahu's goal is to ensure that after the elections, the ultra-Orthodox parties will only negotiate coalition formation with him.

The legislative changes occur at a critical time, as the Israeli military faces personnel shortages following conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. Criticism is mounting over the unequal burden of military service, particularly from reservists and their families who resent the privileges afforded to ultra-Orthodox men. IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir reportedly sent a letter to Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz stating the regulations "clearly and unequivocally contradict" the army's needs, deeming it unacceptable for an institution built on sacrifice to grant blanket impunity to a large group evading service.

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The regulations clearly and unequivocally contradict the army's needs.