Ultra-Orthodox draft

Israeli military nearing breaking point without more manpower, IDF warns Knesset committee

The reported gap in platoon commanders comes as the military continues to warn of broader manpower shortages across combat formations.

IDF troops operating in the Wadi Saluki area of southern Lebanon.
ULTRA-ORTHODOX Jewish men attend a rally against the imprisonment of yeshiva students who failed to comply with military recruitment orders, in Bnei Brak, June 29, 2026.

Son of rabbi who verbally attacked IDF chief says father receives no state funding whatsoever

Brig. Gen. (Res) Dedi Simchi and former Minister Yizhar Shai attend a Constitution, Law and Justice Committee meeting at the Knesset, in the Israeli parliament on January 21, 2025.

Simchi vows to push unity gov't, enlistment in new political alliance with Gantz

Protesters supporting the conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men into the Israeli military block a road in the ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak, central Israel, in protest against the continued road blockades by ultra-Orthodox demonstrators following the arrest of draft evaders, June 26, 2026.

Ultra-Orthodox party paralyzes Knesset votes to force through military draft exemptions


IDF launches recruitment push for ultra-Orthodox combat units active across war fronts

The units being recruited for, Hetz Company, Netzah Yehuda Battalion, and Hasmonaim Brigade, have all operated across multiple fronts throughout the ongoing war.

 An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man is seen exiting an IDF recruiting office in Jerusalem, June 25, 2024

WATCH: Police forcefully disperse anti-draft haredi Jerusalem Faction protest at Chords Bridge

Members of the anti-IDF draft Jerusalem Faction protest blocked Jerusalem’s Chords Bridge, causing traffic disruptions as Israel Police worked to restore order.

Anti-IDF haredi activists Jerusalem Faction activists block the road under Jerusalem's Chords Bridge, April 29, 2026.

Ultra-Orthodox draft protesters break into military police chief's yard, block highway

Over the course of the protest, Highway 4 was blocked to traffic in both directions, and Israeli media reported several altercations between protestors and police officers.

ULTRA-ORTHODOX Jewish men block a road during a protest against the jailing of seminary students who failed to comply with an army recruitment order in Bnei Brak, April 28, 2026.

Israel High Court demands government enforce draft law, revoke benefits from evaders

Israel’s High Court has ordered the state to revoke benefits from haredi draft evaders, marking a major step toward enforcing the draft law amid the ongoing manpower shortage.

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.

Israel’s haredi draft crisis needs more than crackdowns - opinion

Our real challenge is strengthening national resilience without tearing open one of the country’s deepest internal fractures - crackdowns alone will not meet it.

Ultra orthodox Jewish reserve soldiers of the IDF's Hasmonean Brigade operate in the Gaza Strip on June 26, 2025.

Bennett doubles down on mandatory haredi enlistment, blames current gov't for lack of IDF soldiers

"Draft evasion is costing the lives of our soldiers," the former prime minister said during an interview on Radio 103FM.

Naftali Bennett at the scene where a ballistic missile fired from Iran hit Tel Aviv overnight, causing heavy damage, March 1, 2026.

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.

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

The case centers on the government’s failure to carry out the November 2025 ruling, which held that the state must formulate an effective enforcement policy against haredi draft evasion.

A haredi (ultra-Orthodox) protester argues with a police officer outside the Jerusalem IDF recruitment center, April 12, 2026.

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

Protesters attempted to block vehicles while lying in the road, addressing officers deployed at Tel Hashomer with "hateful chants." 

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.

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

So, you pick up your rifle, and you fight. But then, somewhere between operations, you get an update on the news back home. In Jerusalem, you read, the government has passed the annual budget...

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.