Enlistment law

Lapid slams government for advancing controversial legislation during wartime, harming unity

The government has been advancing a law it claims will conscript haredim into the IDF. “They promised us, they told reporters that they would only bring laws related to the war,” Lapid said.

Yair Lapid, leader of the opposition in the Israeli government joins a rally supporting the Israeli military draft and calling for ultra-Orthodox Jews to enlist for military service, in Jerusalem on January 15, 2026.
Ultra-Orthodox protests erupt across Israel on haredi IDF enlistment day

Ultra-Orthodox protests erupt across Israel on haredi IDF enlistment day

An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man is seen during protests in Jerusalem as a banner reads 'All [Israeli] people are IDF,' October 30, 2025

Haredi population grows rapidly while male employment and army service stall, IDI report finds

HAREDIM BLOCK a road to protest the arrest of yeshiva students who failed to comply with an army recruitment order, near Bnei Brak, on Monday.

IDF should conscript Arabs to serve instead of haredi draft dodgers - opinion


Nation of soldiers or Jewish nation? Why Israel must not erase its soul - opinion

The Talmud itself debates the balance between military defense and spiritual commitment. But what we are seeing today is not a debate; it is an attempt to erase the Torah’s role in Israel’s future. 

 ‘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.’

Father of fallen IDF soldier: 'Thirty years ago, the army was three times larger than it is today'

Moshe Sheli, father of late Major Ben Sheli, addressed the urgent need for a broader military draft across the Israeli population during an interview, stating, “Our role is to make sure it happens.”

IDF operating in the Gaza Strip

Torah with social responsibility: Choosing action over exemption - opinion

When it comes to the army enlistment crisis, ultra-Orthodox leaders show a detached interpretation of Torah that distances it from practical life.

 IN OCTOBER 2023, after he began reserve duty in Gaza following the Hamas attack, the writer comes to the Knesset in uniform and addresses the plenum. After his appearance, he returned to his military service.

Katz rejects proposal to extend yeshiva students’ military service

Katz denied the proposal to extend service by four months, opting to keep the current term of one year and five months.

 An illustrative image of Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir.

Gallant: Ultra-Orthodox draft bill agreements stuck at 80%, Gantz disappointing

"It's not about politics, it's about math": Defense Minister said talks have reached a standstill but gaps "are not dramatic."

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant visits IDF soldiers operating in Gaza's Rafah, May 26, 2024.

IDF induction stats show situation less dire than presented - analysis

Yes, the overall percentage of those inducted into the army is declining, but it still remains high throughout Israel.

 Archival image of IDF Ground Forces troops.

French-born Chabad rabbi ‘stuck’ in Israel by IDF for not enlisting

He was detained when he asked to leave the country at the end of a vacation in August with his wife and daughter. The case was publicized by Kol Barama radio journalist Mendi Rizel.

A young Haredi man outside the IDF enlistment office in Jerusalem

Russia forcibly enlisting the homeless, illegal migrant workers - report

Since Putin's announcement of partial mobilization, dozens of homeless people have been taken to recruitment offices, according to local sources.

 A Russian serviceman addresses reservists at a gathering point in the course of partial mobilization of troops, aimed to support the country's military campaign in Ukraine, in the town of Volzhsky in the Volgograd region, Russia September 28, 2022.

Is there justification in Judaism to exempt haredim from the IDF?

While the government seems rightly more focused on integrating haredi citizens into the workforce, it will remain hard to avoid the draft issue

HAREDI PROTESTERS decry  the draft in Jerusalem.

IDF: Ultra-Orthodox enlistment numbers wrong due to technicalities

Senior IDF officials explain discrepancies in figures provided for ultra-Orthodox enlistment during Knesset committee hearing.

Haredi national service enlistment 390