Israel's government knew the risks of haredi draft evasion – and ignored them - opinion

Israel's government has knowingly weakened the country by passing two laws that allow ultra-Orthodox (haredi) Israelis to continue evading military service without consequence. The first law elevates Torah study to a national value equal to military service, while the second, passed recently, prevents the arrest of draft evaders despite existing legal requirements for service. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition backed these laws, which critics contend send a devastating message.

This legislative action occurs at a critical juncture for Israel's security. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reports a shortage of nearly 15,000 soldiers, while reservists have already served hundreds of days with no end in sight. Meanwhile, Israel's adversaries are actively rebuilding their forces in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. The new laws are seen as exacerbating these challenges, weakening the military, undermining the social contract, and prioritizing political interests over national security.

Commentators draw parallels between the current situation and the ignored warnings preceding the October 7th attack. It is now known that the head of Military Intelligence's Research Division and the then-IDF chief of staff, Herzi Halevi, had warned Netanyahu about Hamas's preparations and Israel's internal vulnerabilities. Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar also alerted that enemies perceived Israel's domestic crisis as a sign of weakness. These warnings were disregarded, leading to the deadliest attack in Israel's history and a subsequent protracted war. While the current draft laws may not directly lead to another October 7th, the public warnings from the IDF about soldier shortages highlight the immediate and severe consequences of the government's decisions.