The government and the army have until June 24 to explain to the High Court of Justice why more draft orders have gone out to eligible ultra-Orthodox (haredi) men, and why sanctions have not been actualized against draft dodgers.
The conditional order issued by the court comes amid a war with no end in sight and troops, especially reservists, who are worn and exhausted by a year-and-a-half of war, which they have put their lives on hold for.
The government's goal is to have 4,800 haredi draftees a year, which will comprehensively rise over the next few years. The army would create new frameworks for haredi soldiers within the Israel Air Force, the Intelligence Corps, and in the field. The responsibility is on the army to create the framework, and on the haredi community to provide the troops.
The IDF is also demanding legislative changes that would lighten the load on reservists.
Haredim make up about 14% of the population, which is estimated to grow to 16% by 2030. When it comes to drafts, numbers show stagnation rather than growth.
Shas head Arye Deri hinted at an ultimatum on the matter earlier this month to his coalition partners, demanding that yeshiva students not be arrested for dodging the draft - meaning that sanctions won't be properly applied.
Last week, United Torah Judaism said it considered itself released from prior agreements and that it would consult with its spiritual leadership before voting in the Knesset on previously agreed-upon issues - in an attempt to pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to advance the legislation.
The bill is currently being debated and will eventually be drafted in the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, chaired by Likud MK Yuli Edelstein. While increasing draft numbers, the bill would still likely exempt most military-age haredim from service and faces strong pushback from reservists and other groups, as well as from some coalition members.
After dozens of meetings, the bill has yet to be formulated
The committee has held dozens of meetings on the new law, encompassing various military, economic, and social aspects, but the bill has yet to be formulated. This is because rather than begin proceedings from scratch, and in order to avoid having to receive approval from the Attorney-General’s Office, the government revived a version of a bill that passed its first reading in 2022 under the Bennett-Lapid government.
The petition forcing a deadline was filed by the Movement for the Quality of Government, Israel Hofsheet, and the Homat Magen LaDemocratia, a protest group composed of former defense officials.
MGQ called it a “significant step. After 10 months, during which the government has done its best to avoid giving real answers and following previous court instructions, it continues to implement a policy that is divisive and hurtful.”
Israel Hofsheet said, “The conditional order is akin to a 'yellow card' issued to the State, shifting the burden of proof onto its shoulders. The HJC offered the State a final opportunity to prove that its current, limited recruitment policy is justified or legitimate. Should the State fail to do so, the Court will be compelled to intervene and uphold the petition.”
Israel Hofsheet executive director Udi Keidar added that the court understands that Defense Minister Israel Katz and the government “have chosen to align with draft evaders over those who serve.”
He added that it is encouraging to see that the court, “like the overwhelming majority of the public, are unwilling to let this pass quietly. All conscription orders must be issued immediately - we cannot afford to wait another second. The time for equality has come.”
Jerusalem Post Staff and Eliav Breuer contributed to this report.