Ultra-Orthodox draft

High Court clash exposes IDF manpower crisis, gov't stalling on haredi draft - editorial

Sunday's High Court hearing highlights the growing IDF manpower strain, as criticism mounts over government delays in enforcing haredi conscription.

A haredi (ultra-Orthodox) anti-draft protester holds a banner reading "Even those who do not learn in Yeshiva need to stay Jewish. It's forbidden to commit spiritual suicide in the IDF's crematoriums," during an anti-draft protest at the IDF's Jerusalem recruitment center, April 12, 2026.
A haredi (ultra-Orthodox) protester argues with a police officer outside the Jerusalem IDF recruitment center, April 12, 2026.

High Court presses government over failure to enforce haredi draft ruling, reserves decision

Ultra-Orthodox demonstrators holding a sign reading "Zionism uses Jews as human shields" outside of the IDF's recruitment offices in Jerusalem, April 12, 2026.

Police arrest 19 in ultra-Orthodox protests against IDF draft across Israel

Ultra-Orthodox men block a road during a protest against the jailing of seminary students who failed to comply with the IDF draft, in Jerusalem, in February.

While IDF soldiers fight, Israel's government rewards draft dodgers - opinion


Israel’s manpower crisis: IDF Chief’s warning, a wake-up call for Israeli leaders - editoral

IDF Chief of Staff warns Israel's political leadership about a growing manpower crisis, stressing the urgent need for a conscription bill to sustain the military amid escalating tensions with Iran.

DF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir speaks during an event for outstanding soldiers as part of Israel's 77th Independence Day celebrations, at the President's residence in Jerusalem on May 1, 2025.

Female IDF soldiers barred from entering base on religious grounds - report

The soldiers, some seven officers and reservists, all in uniform, were met by commanders from the ultra-Orthodox Netzach Yehuda battalion who forbade them from entering.

FEMALE IDF field intelligence collection soldiers S, D, and V in the Syrian buffer zone.

War with Iran halts haredi draft exemption law, but inequality remains - editorial

Amid escalating tensions with Iran, Netanyahu shelves the contentious haredi draft law, prioritizing the war effort and national unity over domestic divisions.

 A haredi man and an IDF soldier pray at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, November 14, 2024

High Court: State’s haredi draft enforcement update ‘does not satisfy’ amid Iran war tensions

“In these pressing times, today’s hearing was canceled,” the court wrote. “But the need to enforce the obligation of military enlistment is steadily increasing.” 

A COURT hearing on the government’s draft of ultra-Orthodox Jews into the Israeli military at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, October 29, 2025.

When I sat next to a haredi: A moment of humanity in amid division in Israel - opinion

I knew that hating him would do nothing but hurt us both.

Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) men are seen near a bus in Jerusalem in this photo from 2015.

Haredi parties accuse Knesset foreign affairs committee legal adviser of stalling draft bill

According to senior haredi party figures quoted by Maariv, some of Frenkel-Shor’s conditions are not purely legal in nature but reflect “an ideological approach.”

MK Boaz Bismuth seen with haredi MKs and Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer in the Knesset, Jerusalem, January 14, 2026.

Bnei Brak clashes reflect long-building tensions within haredi society, researcher says - interview

An Israel Democracy Institute researcher says the violence reflects long-standing shifts within haredi society and mounting friction over IDF conscription.

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men clash with police following an assault on two female Israeli soldiers in Bnei Brak, central Israel, February 15, 2026.

IDF clashes with police over Bnei Brak incident, says attacked soldiers did not distribute leaflets

“The claim that the commanders who were attacked yesterday in Bnei Brak arrived in order to distribute recruitment flyers in the city is incorrect," IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said.

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men clash with police following an assault on two female Israeli soldiers in Bnei Brak, central Israel, February 15, 2026.

Haredi protests block Jerusalem entrance, Highway 38

The protesters initially disrupted traffic both around the entrance to Jerusalem and on Highway 38. Police announced that they had successfully dispersed the protesters on 38.

Haredi anti-draft protesters block Highway 4 near Bnei Brak denouncing the detention of a draft dodger, February 9, 2026.

WATCH: Haredim block roads near Tel Hashomer in protest of IDF draft, deemed unlawful by police

N12 reported that the protests arose because around 80 haredim are scheduled to enlist in combat support roles.

IDF GUARDS outside the recruitment center in Jerusalem as haredim protest the draft, February 4, 2026.