Haredi draft

Haredi leaders, Yahya Sinwar: Different ideologies, the same refusal to face reality - opinion

In Keinon’s reading, Gaza’s devastation was not an unforeseen consequence. It was a price Sinwar was prepared to pay in the hope of igniting a regional war that would ultimately destroy Israel.

United Torah Judaism MKs Moshe Gafni and Yitzhak Goldknopf attend a Knesset vote on a bill to freeze arrests of haredi draft evaders, in Jerusalem, July 14, 2026
A plenum session and a vote on a bill to freeze arrests of haredi draft evaders at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, July 14, 2026.

Israel's government knew the risks of haredi draft evasion – and ignored them - opinion

The Knesset plenum is seen during a vote on the communications reform, in Jerusalem, July 16, 2026

The 'most right-wing government' just outed itself as leftist - opinion

Amid reports that the Shas Party could be willing to sit with him in government, Yashar Party head Gadi Eisenkot did not rule out that option entirely. Here, Eisenkot attends the Sagi Laws for Equality Confrence at the Peres Center in Jaffa earlier this week.

Why Gadi Eisenkot is rejecting the haredi political embrace that once helped Netanyahu win


Knesset panel advances ultra-Orthodox bill to enshrine Torah study in Basic Law

Critics say the bill could preserve state benefits for yeshiva students who avoid military service amid the IDF’s manpower shortage.

The Knesset House Committee votes to advance the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties' bill that seeks to enshrine Torah Study in the country's Basic Law. June 30, 2026.

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

Simchi also rejected claims that a vote for his party would effectively amount to a vote for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

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.

Rabbi hurls abuse at Zamir at Bnei Brak anti-draft protest: ‘May his name and memory be erased’

The rally, attended by hundreds of haredi men and led by former Sephardi chief rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, protested the drafting of yeshiva students to the army.

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.

Former haredim overlooked in draft debate, underrepresented in workforce, report finds

Among men aged 20 to 29 from haredi homes who reported past IDF service, 71% no longer identified as haredi when surveyed, according to the organization Out for Change.

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

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

The most recent proposal advanced is a bill that would halt the arrests of haredi draft evaders, which is set to be debated on Tuesday in the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

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.

Haredi protesters successfully halt draft dodger arrest near Jerusalem, police leave scene - report

Additional footage shared by KAN shows a police officer speaking with protesters, saying that "I didn't even bring any patrol cars, I came alone."

Haredi protests begin across Israel, June 24, 2026.

Defense Ministry backs 90-freeze on haredi draft evader arrests as Israel faces coalition crisis

MKs Gafni and Deri stated that the prime minister had “made it clear at the meeting that he is committed to approving the laws and will work to advance them quickly.”

United Torah Judaism leader MK Yitzhak Goldknopf at Knesset House Committee debating Basic Law: Torah Study, Sunday June 28, 2026.

A necessary Lebanon deal, undermined by Netanyahu’s delusions - opinion

The Lebanon agreement may be the lesser evil, but Netanyahu’s false claims, erratic monologue, and call for unity raise deeper questions about his fitness to lead.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holding a press conference in Jerusalem, June 15, 2026; illustrative.

Marathon Knesset meetings set to rapidly advance haredi parties’ contentious Torah study bill

The bill seeks to enshrine Torah study in the country’s Basic Law as part of a proposal that critics argue encourages draft evasion and changes the status of yeshiva students who do not serve.

MKS ATTEND a House committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem, on June 16, 2026.

Netanyahu's political survival deal with the ultra-Orthodox comes at Israel's expense - opinion

The rotten deal Netanyahu is weaving in public with his non-Zionist partners allows the haredi sector to milk Israel's reserves dry without contributing anything.

PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu is seen walking past haredi lawmaker Yitzhak Goldknopf, at the Prime Minister’s Office in 2023.