Draft

Former hostage Nimrod Cohen announces return to IDF: 'Didn't do enough during my mandatory service'

"I didn't really do my service, the way I see it. I served for ten months until I was kidnapped," Cohen said in an interview for N12's Ulpan Shishi.

Released Israeli hostage Nimrod Cohen at the funeral of Israeli soldier Staff Sgt. Daniel Oz, at the military cemetery in Kfar Saba.
Israel’s ultra-Orthodox Jewish sector has been protesting over the attempts to draft young haredi men into the military.

IDF warns of manpower crisis if ultra-Orthodox Jews not drafted by March

 Ukrainian military soldiers rest at a position on a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near the city of Kostiantynivka in Donetsk region, Ukraine July 5, 2025

How I was nearly drafted into Ukraine's war: 'Post' reporter's account of Ukraine’s manpower crisis

 Shas faction meeting in the Israeli parliament on December 8, 2025.

Who's pulling the strings? Haredi parties draft bill tactics ahead of Iran war - analysis


IDF, Yoav Gallant to issue ultra-Orthodox draft order in next month

The Israeli military has said it could immediately integrate around 3,000 Haredim in addition to the 1,800 it already has.

 (L-R): IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, seen near the IDF recruitment center in Jerusalem in an illustrative.

Poll of ultra-Orthodox shows how the IDF could implement the haredi draft

According to data, there is a gap between the principled attitude against the conscription of yeshiva students and the question of what would happen if there were more frameworks adapted for haredim.

IDF recruitment office sign

'There are those better than Zionists': Rabbis seek donations for yeshivas post-High Court ruling

Following the High Court's decision, the rabbis, many affiliated with the current governing coalition, seek to raise $116 million to fund yeshiva students who do not enlist in the IDF.

 Rabbis in the ultra-Orthodox sector embarked on a fundraising campaign in the US for the benefit of yeshivas following High Court ruling, June 23, 2024.

Netanyahu's government is falling apart and coming to an end - opinion

Likud’s renegades now effectively say what the protesters in the streets say: Israel needs a new beginning. And thanks to them, Israel will get its new beginning – a fresh start the Jewish state

 LIKUD MKs Tally Gotliv and Moshe Saada at the Knesset Constitution Committee on June 18 revealed cracks in the coalition.

Ahead of the conscription law vote, funeral wreathes were laid at homes of coalition members

The forum stated, "The IDF lacks 7,000 soldiers, and supporting the law endangers the lives of the citizens of the State of Israel."

Funeral wreathes were laid at the homes of MKs. June 10, 2024.

Israelis see election date, draft law as keys to calming social unrest - survey

A survey led by Gesher organization finds 54% of Israelis support setting an agreed election date to calm social unrest. 59% see consensus on draft law beneficial.

 Jerusalemites cast their ballots for the 2024 municipal elections, on February 27, 2024.

Expiration of haredi draft deferments hurtles Israel into brave new world - analysis

As of April 1, some 66,000 haredim from 18-26 can -- at least technically -- be drafted into the army.

 HAREDI MEN clash with police during a protest  in Jerusalem, following the arrest of an IDF recruit who failed to comply with his draft orders, last month

Israeli gov't in crisis as Netanyahu, haredi parties fail to reach IDF draft deal

Benny Gantz threatened earlier this week to leave the government if an unsatisfactory conscription bill passes into law.

 Shas leader MK Aryeh Deri and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen during a Shas party meeting, at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on January 23, 2023.

Israeli rabbi: Torah students cannot serve in IDF, they are protecting soldiers

"We must not, God forbid, take them [the haredi Yeshiva students who do not study Torah all day to the army because they also pray and they also study,” the Rabbi said. 

HAREDI MEN protest outside the IDF recruiting office in Jerusalem.

Netanyahu rushes to get agreements on haredi draft as deadline looms

Haredi party leaders warned that if the bill includes economic sanctions and recruitment quotas, they will leave the government.

 Haredi men dressed in traditional ultra-Orthodox garb stand behind a group of religious IDF soldiers