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Good Good, As they should

Report: The IDF Plans to Issue Thousands of Additional Enlistment Orders for Haredim

Kan News has reported that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) plans to issue 14,000 additional conscription orders for Haredim starting in March 2025. This new round of enlistment orders marks a significant increase, as it doubles the number of orders sent out in the previous round.

Eliana Fleming
Eliana Fleming
2 min read
Ultra-Orthodox Jews at an IDF enlistment office
Photo: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90

The decision comes amid ongoing tension within the Israeli government and Knesset surrounding the controversial conscription law, which mandates that ultra-Orthodox men, known as Haredim, join the military. Despite previous efforts, the law has faced strong opposition from the Haredi community, leading to limited results in terms of the number of recruits reporting for service.

In the first four months of the current recruitment year, which began in July 2024, the IDF sent out 3,000 enlistment orders. Then, in November, that number increased to 7,000 orders. Despite these efforts, the number of Haredi men actually reporting for service has remained relatively low, sparking further debate and frustration within the government.

The new enlistment orders come at a particularly sensitive moment. Defense Minister Israel Katz has not yet approved the military's strategy on this complex issue, leaving many questions unanswered regarding how the military plans to implement this policy effectively. The announcement of these additional orders is expected to further fuel tensions, as the government prepares to update the Supreme Court in the coming days on its efforts to expedite the recruitment of ultra-Orthodox men.

The IDF’s ongoing attempts to integrate more Haredim into military service reflect a broader societal debate in Israel about the balance between religious freedom and national security. Critics argue that forcing Haredim into the military disrupts their religious way of life, while others assert that equal participation in military service is essential for Israeli society’s cohesion and defense. The next steps in this contentious issue will likely continue to spark debate as Israel’s political and religious landscape evolves.


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