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

Zamir has emphasized the shift to sending a draft notice to every 16.5-year-old haredi male, something which has generally not been done in the past.

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. (photo credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)
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.
(photo credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir on Tuesday night ordered the IDF’s Human Resources Command to initiate a new maximal drafting of haredim (ultra-Orthodox) to help with the widening invasion of Gaza and the ongoing war effort.

To date, the army has sent out 24,000 summons since summer 2024 for tens of thousands of draft-age eligible haredim, only a fraction of whom have agreed to join the military.

In addition, Zamir has emphasized the shift to sending a draft notice to every 16.5-year-old haredi male, something that has generally not been done in the past.

It was unclear what new measures Zamir wanted the IDF to take to be more aggressive in recruiting, whether in the area of sending more summons or greater readiness to arrest draft dodgers.

Further, Zamir directed a speeding up of the special programs slated to absorb haredim in a way that will allow them to maintain their haredi lifestyle.

 An illustrative image of haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Israeli Jews near a sign for an IDF recruiting office. (credit: FLASH90)
An illustrative image of haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Israeli Jews near a sign for an IDF recruiting office. (credit: FLASH90)

Many such new programs have been rolled out in waves since 2024.