- The Media Line - https://themedialine.org -

Historic Military Draft of Haredi Men Underway in Israel

In a significant move, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) initiated the first round of draft orders to ultra-Orthodox men aged 18-26, a development reported by Walla on Sunday. This marks the first of three batches planned for the next four weeks, totaling 1,000 conscription notices in this initial wave.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant had mandated the commencement of this conscription following a weekend, aligning with a landmark High Court ruling that invalidated the legal framework previously exempting Haredi yeshiva students from military service. The court has ordered the drafting of 3,000 Haredi men, a figure determined by the IDF’s capacity for initial processing.

The IDF targets individuals likely to comply, such as those engaged in secular employment, higher education, or who hold driver’s licenses, suggesting less involvement in full-time religious studies. This new conscription wave includes both single and married men, with a significant portion expected to be assigned to combat roles.