Israeli draft

The haredi draft issue: A ticking time bomb for Israel's future - editorial

What’s been happening is that the same core domestic issue has been shoring up, threatening to break up nearly every coalition: religion and state.

 Ultra orthodox Jews clash with police during a protest against the drafting of ultra orthodox jews to the Israeli army, on road 4 near Bnei Brak, June 5, 2025.
 An illustrative image of haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Israeli Jews near a sign for an IDF recruiting office.

Sanctions against draft-dodgers are ‘sparse,’ IDF says

A group of ultra-Orthodox Jews blocked traffic and the light rail  in Jerusalem demonstrating against a Haredi draft into the IDF. February 26, 2024.

A year of empty promises: Edelstein talks, but no draft law yet on haredi enlistment - opinion

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir speaks during an event for outstanding soldiers as part of Israel's 77th Independence Day celebrations, at the President's Residence in Jerusalem on May 1, 2025.

IDF Chief Zamir orders new maximal drafting of haredim to help war effort


Bennett slams draft dodging by Israeli leaders, calls for 'covenant of service'

"Inside a tank in Gaza, there is no Right or Left, no secular or religious. There is only unity of purpose: to bring the hostages home and defeat Hamas," said Bennett.

 Former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett speaks during the Israel Information Technology Conference in Ness Ziona, May 5, 2025.

IDF begins fresh draft cycle of recruitment for combat units

According to the IDF’s data, 59.79% of the draftees are men, and 40.21% are women, with an average age of 18.95 years. 

 ISRAELI SOLDIERS pray at the Western Wall.

Giving credit where its due: The bravery to break party lines and stand alone - editorial

MK Dan Ilouz, a Likud backbencher, was willing to break party ranks when he called to end the haredi draft exemption.

 Religious IDF Israeli soldiers pray during a training of the Ultra Orthodox Unit at the Givati Brigade near the Israeli city of Beit Shemesh, September 27, 2017.

This week in Jewish history: The start of the IDF draft and the Daf Yomi cycle

A highly abridged version of the daily Dust & Stars.

 CELEBRATING SIYUM HASHAS, the completion of the ‘Daf Yomi,’ a seven-and-a-half-year cycle of studying the Talmud, at Har Etzion Yeshiva.

Haredim break into Tel Hashomer base to protest IDF draft

Border Police and the Israel Police forcefully attempted to disperse the crowd on horseback. 

 Ultra orthodox Jews clash with police during a protest against the drafting of ultra orthodox jews to the Israeli army, outside the IDF Recruitment Center at Tel Hashomer, in central Israel, August 6, 2024.

IDF begins draft of summer cycle amid ongoing war

Thousands of new recruits are set to start military service soon, with special measures are in place to support those affected by the war.

IDF Recruitment.

Letters to the Editor June 19, 2024: Attacking us incessantly

Readers of The Jerusalem Post have their say.

 Letters

The haredi draft crisis that will not disappear: A look at Israel's 'Amendment No. 26'

The main haredi argument against enlisting their youth to military service is that the study of the Torah and prayers to God are more important to Israel’s security than the IDF.

 PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu attends the debate and vote on legislation regarding haredi enlistment in the military, in the Knesset plenum, last week.

Gallant set to oppose Rule of Continuity for haredi draft law

The passing of the Rule of Continuity would allow Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to advance the haredi conscription law that passed its first reading in 2022 during the Lapid-Bennett government.

 (L-R) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant

High Court concludes debate on haredi IDF conscription in high-stakes hearing

A poll published by Army Radio on Sunday, conducted by Manu Geva's Midgam Institute, found that 81% of haredim supported the view that haredim should not join the IDF at all.

A court hearing on the government's drafting of yeshiva students for the IDF, at the High Court of Justice in Jerusalem on June 2, 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.