Israeli lawmakers passed a law in July effectively exempting members of the ultra-Orthodox community from mandatory military service until early next year. It freezes arrests of ultra-Orthodox draft evaders.
In Israel, young men and women over the age of 18 are required to serve in the military. But the ultra-Orthodox religious Haredi community opposes mandatory military service. Haredim say mandatory service conflicts with the group’s men’s dedication to studying the Torah, their prescribed style of dress, and their strict prayer schedule.
Exemptions have been granted temporarily over recent years. But enshrining religious exemption in law has fierce opponents. Many Israelis are angry about the legalized exemption, in part because the military needs more soldiers. Military chief Eyal Zamir says the bill makes it harder for the military to find the soldiers it needs to protect the nation. Haredi men can still enlist if they choose to, but historically, very few do.
Other Israelis say the law is unfair. Thousands of Haredim benefit from military protection and government subsidies without having to contribute their service. In recent years, this argument has become stronger as the Haredi population has grown and Israel faces more conflict with Hamas. Now more ultra-Orthodox Jews rely on a smaller military for protection.
The Haredim argue that they are contributing to the protection of the country through their devotion to prayer and dedicated study of the Torah. Young men study the Torah full-time at yeshivas, which are similar to seminaries.
The law is partly a response to mass protests that broke out in Israel in the summer when Haredi men were told they had to enlist in the military. Thousands of ultra-Orthodox men flooded streets, blocking traffic and clashing with other Israelis who think they should be required to serve. For many Haredi men, being forced to serve in the military would mean living in conflict with their theological beliefs.
Politically, it’s possible the law has less to do with prayer and more to do with politics. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has struggled to stay in power and pass legislation because of opposition from other members of Parliament. With an election this fall, this concession from his party to the ultra-Orthodox community could be seen as a way to earn their votes.
A second law passed in July establishes religious study of the Torah as a “foundational value” of the state of Israel. This is an attempt to protect yeshiva students legally. In 2024, Israel’s Supreme Court ruled that yeshiva students are not exempt from military service. It isn’t clear yet if the new law is enough to prevent another legal battle or public outcry.
Why? While facing war with Hamas and Iran, Israel also faces conflict inside its border over whether members of the ultra-Orthodox community should be required to serve in the military.