This article examines the recent shift in military service obligations for Israel's ultra-Orthodox, or Haredi, community following a landmark Supreme Court ruling that has drawn both support and opposition from within and outside the community.
The Shift in Military Service Among Israel's Ultra-Orthodox Jews
The Shift in Military Service Among Israel's Ultra-Orthodox Jews
Israel's ultra-Orthodox community is facing a profound change as military service becomes mandatory, challenging long-standing traditions and societal dynamics.
In a significant turning point for Israeli society, the ultra-Orthodox community, historically exempt from military service, is now facing mandatory draft orders. Traditionally protected under an agreement made during the founding of Israel in 1948, the Haredim were spared from military obligations in exchange for political support. However, the recent escalation of conflict, notably following the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, has reignited societal tensions surrounding military service.
Three Haredi men, Yechiel Wais, Chaim Krausz, and Itamar Greenberg, embody the diverse reactions among the ultra-Orthodox towards this new reality. Wais approaches the draft with enthusiasm, viewing military participation as a pathway for greater integration within Israeli society. In contrast, Krausz rejects the draft, citing concerns that military service conflicts with his religious values. Meanwhile, Greenberg has chosen incarceration over military service, illustrating the deep ideological divides in the community.
As the number of ultra-Orthodox in Israel has surged—growing from 5% of the population at Israel's founding to 14% today—the perception that they disproportionately benefit from government aid while others are conscripted for service has fostered frustration among secular and other Jewish communities. The recent Supreme Court decision reflected this growing discontent, resulting in draft orders being sent to approximately 10,000 ultra-Orthodox men, though only a small fraction has reported for duty.
Israel now faces a critical dilemma: balancing integration and societal expectations with the unique cultural and religious frameworks of its rapidly growing ultra-Orthodox population. As the country reckons with these tensions, the outcome will likely shape the future of Israeli society and its military structure for generations to come.
Three Haredi men, Yechiel Wais, Chaim Krausz, and Itamar Greenberg, embody the diverse reactions among the ultra-Orthodox towards this new reality. Wais approaches the draft with enthusiasm, viewing military participation as a pathway for greater integration within Israeli society. In contrast, Krausz rejects the draft, citing concerns that military service conflicts with his religious values. Meanwhile, Greenberg has chosen incarceration over military service, illustrating the deep ideological divides in the community.
As the number of ultra-Orthodox in Israel has surged—growing from 5% of the population at Israel's founding to 14% today—the perception that they disproportionately benefit from government aid while others are conscripted for service has fostered frustration among secular and other Jewish communities. The recent Supreme Court decision reflected this growing discontent, resulting in draft orders being sent to approximately 10,000 ultra-Orthodox men, though only a small fraction has reported for duty.
Israel now faces a critical dilemma: balancing integration and societal expectations with the unique cultural and religious frameworks of its rapidly growing ultra-Orthodox population. As the country reckons with these tensions, the outcome will likely shape the future of Israeli society and its military structure for generations to come.
