In brief
For the first time, Israel's ultra-Orthodox men, historically exempt from military service, are being drafted, sparking a complex mix of excitement, resistance, and societal tension within a changing Israeli landscape.
Israel's ultra-Orthodox community, long known for being exempt from military service, is now encountering new realities as the Israeli government mandates their involvement in the armed forces. This shift follows escalating tensions after the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, which mobilized vast numbers of Israeli citizens into military combat. The Haredim, as the ultra-Orthodox are known, have traditionally been spared from conscription, an agreement dating back to Israel's founding in 1948.Journalists Jack Nicas and Adam Sella documented the stories of three men who reflect this transformation. Yechiel Wais welcomes the change, viewing military service as a path to greater integration within Israeli society. In contrast, Chaim Krausz rejects the draft, citing concerns that military life clashes with his religious beliefs. Itamar Greenberg has taken a more drastic step, opting to serve time in military prison rather than fulfill his duties on the battlefield.This policy change has intensified age-old frustrations among the broader Israeli population. As the Haredi community has proliferated, making up 14 percent of the nation today, traditional service commitments have become a contentious matter. Many secular Israelis feel aggrieved that their children are sent to fight while Haredi leaders receive state support for studies in Torah rather than military training.The Israeli Supreme Court's recent decision to remove exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men has led to the issuance of draft notices to approximately 10,000 Haredi men, of whom merely 338 have complied. This scenario has placed Israel at a crossroads, raising profound questions about national identity, responsibility, and the future of the country as the ultra-Orthodox movement continues to expand.
