Haredi Jews, or Ultra-Orthodox Jews, refers to a socio-religious demographic of Jewish people that follow strict interpretations of Torah, halachah (Jewish traditions) and rabbinical decrees.
Haredi Jews are not a monolithic group, and have many ideological beliefs and differences sect to sect. Some characteristics that are often shared are cultural. Haredi Jews often wear old shtetl-style black and white clothing with distinct hats, have large families with a focus on the family unit, and live in neighbourhoods with predominantly Haredi families.
Ideologically, haredi Jews vary on zionism, but often believe in separation of genders in public spaces, are against public life and works on shabbat, and are often antagonistic to many manifestations of technology. Haredi youth are expected to learn Jewish scriptures in Yeshivas until they are married.
There are about 1.8 million haredi Jews in the world, many living in Europe, the United States, and Israel. In Israel Haredim make up about 12% of the population. There are haredi parties in the Israeli Knesset, such as Shas, United Torah Judaism, Noam, and Yachad.
One conflict between haredi Jews and other cleavages in Israeli society is military service. In the past there have been protests against the conscription of haredi men into the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Laws have previously been passed to compromise and preclude haredi men from conscription. Another point of contention has in the past been haredi representation in the workforce, but the number of haredi Jews integrating into the workforce has been increasing.
This marks the first arrest of an ultra-Orthodox deserter since the exemption status of Haredim was revoked in July 2024, and 3000 draft orders were sent out.
Haredi campaigners have expressed fear that the Bill would lead to state interference in yeshivas and force them to teach secular subjects.
Last month, the military announced that legal action was underway against draft candidates from the haredi community who failed to report for enlistment.
Smotrich said that the fact that the haredim did not serve in the IDF was “painful,” however he cannot act on those feelings as a public servant.
The question isn’t whether change will come – it’s already happening at the margins – but rather how deep it will penetrate into the core of haredi society.
Katz denies Liberman’s claims of bias in IDF interviews as haredi draft law controversy heats up in the Knesset.
Government Secretary Yossi Fuchs intends to begin by drafting 4,800 haredim in the 2024 draft year (between July 2024 – June 2025).
One of the associated hotlines actively works to intervene in cases of arrested draft dodgers.
Alas, these fine initiatives only nibble at the edges of the military, societal, and ideological need, which is a significant draft to the fighting army of 18 to 26-year-old haredi men.
The ultra-Orthodox IDF draft has come to a head as the Israel-Hamas war has seen reservists completing hundreds of days of duty. IDF says it needs more manpower to deal with the new security reality.
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