Ultra-Orthodox IDF Enlistment Drops by 36% as Israeli Parliament Debates Enforcement Measures
As the ultra-Orthodox population expands and enlistment rates drop, Israel faces a crisis balancing national security, economic stability, and social cohesion
Although resiliently united against external threats, Israelis face a growing divide at home over the already polarized debate about enlisting ultra-Orthodox men in the Israeli army. In a significant step toward increasing ultra-Orthodox participation, the IDF recently issued draft orders to 7,000 prospective recruits, in addition to the 3,000 issued in previous months. Still, this population’s enlistment numbers keep going down.
A new report, based on data published by the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics, ministries, government agencies, and the National Insurance Institute, revealed a dramatic rise in Jewish educational institution enrollment among ultra-Orthodox men, declining military enlistment, and stagnant employment rates, even as this population continues to grow in proportion when compared to the rest of the country.
The Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) are a rapidly growing group. The question is whether their integration keeps pace with their demographic growth. The larger they become, the greater the need for integration.
Dr. Gilad Malach, a research fellow in the IDI’s ultra-Orthodox program, explained that the issue is broader than army enlistment. “The Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) are a rapidly growing group. The question is whether their integration keeps pace with their demographic growth. The larger they become, the greater the need for integration.”
According to the report written by the Israel Democracy Institute (IDI), over the last decade, the number of students in Jewish educational institutions has risen by 83%, while the number of ultra-Orthodox enlisting in the IDF has fallen by 36%. Alongside this trend, the average monthly income for ultra-Orthodox men fell from 76% of the average monthly income among non-ultra-Orthodox Jewish men in 2003 to 49% in 2022, at 9,929 shekel ($2.7k), versus 20,464 shekel ($5.7k). Ultra-Orthodox women earned 8,617 shekel ($2.4k) per month on average in 2022—67% of the average monthly income of non-ultra-Orthodox Jewish women, 13,057 shekel ($3.6k).
The report comes during a period of intense debate in the Israeli parliament. Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman Yuli Edelstein declared that “there will be personal and institutional sanctions” for members of the ultra-Orthodox draft-dodging. We want to bring soldiers to the IDF; therefore, the law that comes out of this committee will include a comprehensive and inclusive answer.”
According to a recent announcement by the IDF, “draft-eligible citizens who fail to report for enlistment as instructed by the summons will be considered as committing the offense of absence from service without authorization and may face criminal sanctions.”
Amid a crisis that could potentially disrupt Israeli politics and society, even in the face of the ongoing problems in Gaza and southern Lebanon, The Media Line spoke to Adrian Treger, the Vice President of External Relations at the Netzah Yehuda Association, also known as Nahal Haredi, an organization dedicated to integrating ultra-Orthodox soldiers into the IDF.
The Haredi population will become the majority in Israel. If they remain disengaged from the economy, it will be a national crisis.
“The Haredi population will become the majority in Israel. If they remain disengaged from the economy, it will be a national crisis,” he told The Media Line. However, Treger was clear that forcibly enlisting ultra-Orthodox men into the army or placing sanctions against those who refused to join was counterproductive and would further polarize the parts impacted by the situation.
“Moshe,” a military-age ultra-Orthodox man from a city west of Jerusalem with a large religious population, shared his point of view with The Media Line. “I don’t understand why this has to change. What we do is already important, and I’ve been studying in the Yeshiva (Jewish educational institution) since I was six years old. Yes, I also work a regular job. I know Israel needs more fighters, but we believe that studying the Torah protects the Jewish people just as much as the army. I, personally, don’t feel comfortable joining, but I don’t judge those who do.”
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However, the ultra-Orthodox community is more diverse than most people imagine. ‘Yehuda,’ an ultra-Orthodox soldier serving at the IDF, also spoke to The Media Line. He highlighted his philosophy and theology and explained that “Jewish history is filled with soldiers—from Moshe to Yehoshua to the Maccabees. Fighting for Israel is a holy mission,” he said.
“Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, back in the late 1800s, at the very beginning of the Zionist movement, right before he passed away, was not necessarily sold on any sort of political or cultural motivations behind the movement,” he continued. “However, he was very much in favor of Jews defending the new Yishuvim (original Jewish settlements in then-Palestine) because defending other Jews is, of course, a mitzvah (holy act). It’s a very, very holy and important thing to do. So, in line with that philosophy, many of the people in my kehillah (congregation) and I have served in the Israeli army, and those who haven’t are very supportive of me.”
Their ideology dictates men should focus on Torah study. This principle developed alongside a legal reality: if they stopped studying Torah, they would be required to serve in the army. So, it’s a combination of ideology and practical circumstances. The entire system—legislation, ideology, and the education structure—has reinforced this situation, pushing men to study Torah for several years instead of serving in the army or joining the workforce.
The root of such differences lies in the intersection of ideology and legal structure, according to Dr. Malach. “Their ideology dictates men should focus on Torah study. This principle developed alongside a legal reality: if they stopped studying Torah, they would be required to serve in the army,” Dr. Malach explained. “So, it’s a combination of ideology and practical circumstances. The entire system—legislation, ideology, and the education structure—has reinforced this situation, pushing men to study Torah for several years instead of serving in the army or joining the workforce.”
Serving in the army isn’t the only new expectation that Israeli society is beginning to place on ultra-Orthodox men. “Even in a normative economic scenario, without war and other crises, for Israel to maintain a successfully growing economy, the Haredi community must actively participate in the workforce. Although the war is currently the focal point, we cannot lose sight of the fact that Israel is a modern, progressive country that needs long-term solutions to future challenges. If 55% of the population remains disengaged from the economy, it poses a significant issue,” Treger noted.
The report written by the IDI also revealed that the ultra-Orthodox men work in different employment areas from other Jewish men. 30% work in education and 3.5% in high-tech, while the picture is reversed among non-Haredi Jewish men, of whom just 4.5% are employed in education and 20% work in high-tech. The differences between ultra-Orthodox women and other Jewish women in terms of areas of employment are even larger than those between Haredi and non-ultra-Orthodox men. The share of ultra-Orthodox women working in education stands at 40%, versus just 4.5% in high-tech, while among non-ultra-Orthodox Jewish women, just 16% work in education and 9% work in high-tech.
However, the Nahal Haredi Brigade has shown that this is a resolvable situation. Currently, over 3,000 active ultra-Orthodox soldiers in the IDF and more than 21,000 veterans serve in reserve duty. “Before the war, the employment rate for Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) men was about 55%, compared to 89-90% in the general Israeli workforce. However, among our veterans, 91% are employed, which is higher than the national average. This demonstrates the potential impact of proper integration programs,” Treger noted.
Considering these differences, if the Knesset were to impose sanctions against ultra-Orthodox men for refusing to enlist in the IDF, Israel could end up witnessing a devastating increase in poverty levels, increase resistance from within these communities, and undo the progress that organizations like the Nahal Haredi did.
They may create more resistance and conflict rather than progress. We have made significant strides, such as establishing new Haredi divisions within the IDF and border police. Progress may not be happening as quickly as some would like, but it is happening. Instead of focusing on coercion, we should expand these successes and build bridges.
Treger said he is not convinced that “punitive measures like budget cuts will achieve the desired results. They may create more resistance and conflict rather than progress. We have made significant strides, such as establishing new Haredi divisions within the IDF and border police. Progress may not be happening as quickly as some would like, but it is happening. Instead of focusing on coercion, we should expand these successes and build bridges.”
Bridges that are indeed necessary for a long-term solution that doesn’t end in confrontation. Zvi,” an ultra-Orthodox man above the military age from a city with a large religious population, offered a glimpse at the pragmatism of his common folk. “It’s a personal choice and a sacrifice. I also understand there is a war, and they hate all the Jews. And in other countries, too, because it is easier to spot us in non-Jewish countries. Studying the Torah is the most important thing we can do, but if we don’t help and fight, then maybe the antisemites will have more power and will not let us study the Torah at all.”
However, for Dr. Malach, the resistance to the sanctions being discussed in the Knesset against draft dodgers is happening precisely because it will produce results. “The ultra-Orthodox parties will strongly oppose these measures precisely because they recognize their potential impact. Cutting the budget for yeshivot won’t affect individuals directly, but removing personal subsidies—such as housing assistance and daycare—could amount to 2,000 shekels per month, which is significant for a Haredi family.”
I know Israel is under pressure because of the war, but if Israel forces us to join, we will only resist more. I’m not against anyone joining the IDF, but if we’re forced to join or punished for not joining, then there will be no more conversation.
Regardless, for Zvi, any position that forces or punishes his community for ultra-Orthodox men not enlisting would be a non-starter. “I know Israel is under pressure because of the war, but if Israel forces us to join, we will only resist more. I’m not against anyone joining the IDF, but if we’re forced to join or punished for not joining, then there will be no more conversation.” According to him, Israel needs to show that “we can be Haredi in the IDF, that we continue to be Haredi after we leave, and that we’re still supported like everyone else, but also taking into consideration our way of life.”
But for men like “Yehuda,” who is already serving in the IDF, fighting for Israel goes hand-in-hand with his understanding of Jewish identity. “Being a soldier has a long precedent in Jewish history. Moshe was a fighter.” Later on, the Maccabim became legends and heroes of the Jewish people by fighting against all odds against the powerful for independence and the ability to serve G-d.”
He shared that much of his family served in the German and Austro-Hungarian militaries in the First World War. “My great great grandfather died in battle in 1916 on the eastern front. Another one was murdered at Auschwitz. Fighting for other’s causes may be nice, but they do not have the same level of love for us as we did for them. The fact that my family could fight and die for a country that would, in a single generation, be killing them solidified my mindset that the future of the Jewish people is in Israel.”
While many in the ultra-Orthodox community are entrenched in their own perspectives, the law to impose personal sanctions against draft dodgers has received support from different sides of the aisle in the Knesset. Dr. Malach pointed out that opposition and coalition members support personal sanctions, a rare instance of political unity.
“Even Defense Minister Israel Katz has indicated that he supports them, though he hasn’t specified the exact measures yet. Right now, the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Security Committee is debating the details,” he concluded. “At least 10 to 15 coalition members are making their support for the legislation conditional on the inclusion of personal sanctions. Even the defense minister has expressed support, though the specifics are still under discussion.”
