The issue of haredim (ultra-Orthodox Jews) in Israel not serving in the IDF has been a contentious topic for decades.
In the current status quo established in the early days of the State of Israel, haredi yeshiva students have an exemption from serving in the IDF or partaking in Sherut Leumi (national service). However, this has caused many others in Israel to feel there is an unfair distribution of the burden of serving the country. Coupled with the low employment rates for haredim in Israel, and this has led to widespread tension against ultra-Orthodox Israelis.
The courts have ruled that the current exemption for haredim not to serve in the army is illegal and efforts to resolve the issue are still ongoing.
The relationship between the IDF and society
Perhaps a decade from now, after the ultra-Orthodox population has become accustomed to core studies and state service, a universal military draft can be imposed.
Some reports indicated that politicians were encouraging yeshiva students to open businesses on paper in order to continue being eligible for subsidized state care.
"We will not agree to any further delay in passing the budget. The budget will not be held hostage by the legislation of the [haredi] conscription law,” Smotrich said.
While preparation of the haredi draft bill sped up in the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee in recent weeks, it is still unlikely to pass into law by March 3.
For those hoping that shared national challenges might bridge the secular-religious divide, Rabbi Landau’s words are deeply discouraging.
“We’re not fighting for freedom. We’re fighting against terror," Rivlin said.
Recordings published in Ynet last week revealed that Agudat Yisrael party officials were instructing yeshiva students to open fictitious small businesses.
Abandoning it risks alienating their base, yet standing firm could bring down the government best positioned to achieve their ideological vision under Trump’s presidency.
This marks the first arrest of an ultra-Orthodox deserter since the exemption status of Haredim was revoked in July 2024, and 3000 draft orders were sent out.
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