A House Divided: The Haredi Community and the Israeli Military Draft

By Randy Pinsky

Military conscription is mandatory for all Israelis, a necessary measure to keep the country safe from persistent threats. An ongoing simmering point of tension is the exemption of the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) community, magnified over the last two years as reservists have experienced burnout while the former seemingly benefits from protection without contributing to it. 

With increasing security demands, there is a need for additional soldiers, however efforts at mandatory conscription have been met by massive civil unrest. On January 20, 2026, the Azrieli Institute hosted Dr. Niva Golan-Nadir for “BalancingFaith and Duty: The Ultra-Orthodox Draft and Its Implications for Israel’s Military and Society,” exploring the unequal burden of security and incendiary debate at the heart of Israeli social fabric.

Taking Their Dissent to the Streets 

International media showcased religious men obstructing traffic, harassing judges at their private homes, and engaging in societal disruption, all in reaction to attempts to suspend their historical exemption from military service. 

Since the founding of the State of Israel, ultra-Orthodox men coming of age do not follow their secular peers who are drafted into the Israel Defence Forces, but rather are allowed to continue to study at yeshivahs (religious schools). 

The meaning of the word ‘Haredi’ literally means ‘one who trembles before G-d.’ This refers to the centrality of religion and strict adherence to halacha (Jewish law) in all aspects of their lives. With few holding employment outside of religious study, many rely on government stipends to support their large families. 

“In a country founded by secular revolutionaries, defended by conscripted soldiers, and sustained by a tech-focused economy pushing it into the 21^st century, the most rapidly growing demographic largely abstains from all three,” stated The Times of Israel. 

Haredic rejection of secular life stems from post-Shoah. “As survivors made their shell-shocked way to safety after the war, the Haredi community redoubled its commitment to protecting its ravaged identity.” Their determination to preserve their separate ways of life manifests in little engagement in Israeli society and perpetual military immunity.

Conscription for…Most Israelis?

The year was 1947 and David Ben-Gurion (Israel’s to-be first Prime Minister) was facing a challenging situation. The community was composed of divergent sub-groups, including an influential ultra-Orthodox component. In order to avoid civil conflict, his request of the United Nations for a Jewish state would require consensus from all the segments, “lest the Land of Israel be divided in two,” stated Golan-Nadir.  

This challenge needed to be navigated carefully as the longstanding religious sector believed a modern state could only be determined by the return of the Messiah, not a UN decree. A refusal to comply could thus jeopardize all chances for success. 

So Ben-Gurion shrewdly made a politically expedient deal^[1]; in exchange for supporting the appeal for a state, he would grant the Haredim special rights. They would have ultimate authority in regards to kashrut certification; marriages and divorces; for Shabbat and religious holidays to be a part of the national calendar - and exemption from military service. 

This unique status, known as Torato unamuto or “Torah is his profession,” was accepted by the religious community and the Haredim accompanied Ben-Gurion to the UN meeting. The policy would subsequently become status quo and entrenched in Israeli life. 

The ‘Deal’

In the time-sensitive moment, Ben-Gurion felt the need to placate the 400 religious individuals, assuming that measures to integrate and assimilate them - including regarding military service - would be taken on by future leaders. Neither would occur.

As a result, “what began initially as an exceptional provision…became a structural exception for an entire, rapidly growing demographic group.” 

The initial cohort has since exploded to 80,000 individuals or 13% of the Israeli population. Almost 88% are under the age of 25 and would have otherwise been conscripted into the Israeli army.

As reinforced by The Times of Israel, “[this situation] may have once made poetic sense in a state still discovering itself…But poetry cannot carry tanks, nor run an ICU, nor pay for both.” 

The Divided House

Given the very real security concerns facing Israel, it would be reasonable to assume that all citizens would be committed to contributing to its safety and well being. In fact, observed Golan-Nadir, upon accepting his role as the IDF’s new Chief of Staff, Lt. General Eyal Zamir reiterated that all of Israel is responsible for one another.

Thousands of reservists have been called to the forces, with many committing to long stretches at a time without seeing their families, and the maximum age being extended out of necessity. A war-weary population is undeniably frustrated to see the dichotomy of the self-sacrifice expected while able-bodied young men cloister themselves in Torah study.

Draft Dodgers?

In particular, bereaved families are incensed at the perceived comfortable - and safe - lives these religious men have while their sons and daughters are on the frontlines. 

Golan-Nadir described how the Knesset attempted an ‘Equal Burden Law’ in 2014 to gradually introduce conscription targets and sanctions for non-compliance. It was soon abandoned however, when the Netanyahu government came in power a year later due to its coalitions with the Orthodox parties. 

“The war in Gaza has brought to a head an unresolved conflict within Israel over the special treatment of the Haredim,” described The Guardian. "Secular Israelis see universal military service as a foundational element of distributive justice - what is locally called Shivyon Ba’netel (‘equality of the burden’). From this perspective, the exception of an entire community is an unsustainable civil injustice. The secular Israelis feel forced to risk lives while the Haredim are legally shielded from doing so.”

Tensions in Israeli Society

Golan-Nadir juxtaposed two conflicting recent developments: In July 2026, the Knesset passed a controversial law temporarily freezing the arrest and prosecution of Haredi draft dodgers, much to the anger of many. In addition to exacerbating the problem, it absolved any consequences and legitimized mass non-enlistment with yeshiva students receiving blanket exemptions and immunity from arrest until January 2027.

“Th[e Haredi anti-military sentiment] is an ideology and it is simply tearing Israeli society apart,” she said.  

In response to the new bill, IDF Chief of Staff Zamir condemned it as “clearly and unequivocally inconsistent with the IDF’s needs,” making reference to the urgency for new recruits given the multifront tensions. The opposition echoed his concern, condemning the ruling as “trampling the principle of equality in bearing the burden.”

Contributing… Spiritually?

On the part of the Haredim, they feel that rather than benefiting from a loophole or exception, they are in fact playing a crucial role for Israel's security, albeit in a spiritual sense. They believe fervent Torah study and adherence to halachic principles is an essential component in all of Israel's victories and safety. 

Rabbi Yehoshua Pfeffer has described this metaphysical protective shield over Israel as a ‘Torah Dome’ (a play on the Iron Dome) with many feeling spiritual defense is equal - if not more critical - than physical military defense. 

Many also believe the military would threaten their carefully curated and separate identities with the mixed gendered divisions, varying degrees of religiosity, and intercultural make-up.

As a result, they engage in violent protests and disruptions against any and all efforts to enforce mandatory conscription.

Jeopardizing the Safety of the Country for Political Votes?

The current government only won a majority as they created coalitions with the ultra-Orthodox parties, courting them with exemptions and favoured status, often to the detriment of the larger Israeli society. 

Opposition leader, Yair Lapid, of Yesh Atid, argued, “at a time when IDF soldiers and those who serve [in the military] are carrying the burden, the government is once again spitting in their faces and prioritizing narrow political considerations over the good of the country.”

A Trigger Point

According to The Israel Policy Forum, “the draft exemption enjoyed by Haredi men has long been a political lightning rod,” dividing society and causing internal tension. 

Many Israelis are also concerned that the wooing of Orthodox political parties will be doubled in advance of the upcoming October elections and exacerbated by ever more Haredim reaching voting age.^[2]

There have however, been some challenges to the legality of this exception, with potentially critical changes forthcoming. From withdrawing welfare funding, to giving penalties to yeshivahs assisting in draft evasion, it is evident the situation is unsustainable and will require a significant overhaul for the security and safety of Israel. 

^[1] Not unlike that of the Netanyahu political party which made coalitions with various religious parties in order to gain a majority. 

^[2] On a Reddit public forum, one commented about how the Haredim not only do not have to be in the army, they also do not contribute to the economy, relying on government stipends. As a result, some suggested they lose their privilege if they do not join, with one quibbing; “we should feed them with our prayers and not our tax money.”