Haredi draft

Israel's Opposition hits 61 seat majority for first time in months - poll

The opposition had been standing at 60 seats, at the cusp of a majority, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition remained at 50 seats. The Arab parties, meanwhile, stand at 10 seats.

Opposition head Yair Lapid arrives for a court hearing at the Supreme Court on a petition against the transfer of funds to ultra-Orthodox educational institutions, January 8, 2026
AN IDF reserve soldier reports for a military drill along the border with Lebanon and Syria.

IDF to trim reserve duty, could expand mandatory service as soldier shortage deepens

 Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir. March 25, 2025.

Israel Katz publishes IDF chief's letter warning of manpower shortage amid haredi draft debate

Ultra-Orthodox protests erupt across Israel on haredi IDF enlistment day

Haredi draft crisis: Israel's High Court must now defend its own authority - opinion


A new era for The Jerusalem Report - from the editor

From women in combat to shifts in the haredi world, this issue is all about change – starting with us.

'Women on the front.' Lital Leshem and Lee Moser raised $150 million to investment in Israeli defense tech.

Over 60 local leaders push Netanyahu to halt haredi draft bill, warn of social rift

“The IDF needs, more than ever, additional soldiers to carry the heavy burden of defending the state,” the letter said, arguing that mandatory service reflects Israel’s “shared destiny.”

A Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem, December 1, 2025.

Aliyah Minister Sofer vows to vote against haredi draft bill, 'even if Netanyahu fires me'

RZP's Ofir Sofer to oppose draft legislation, defying faction head Bezalel Smotrich • Bismuth brings new haredi draft bill outline to Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee

Aliyah and Integration Minister Minister Ofir Sofer holds a press conference at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, December 1, 2025

Bismuth’s haredi draft bill won’t change enlistment, IDI expert tells 'Post'

An Israel Democracy Institute expert warns that MK Boaz Bismuth’s haredi draft offers no real enforcement and will not improve enlistment rates.

 MK Boaz Bismuth leads the lobby for releasing the remaining hostages in the Gaza Strip, at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, January 9, 2024.

New haredi draft bill dodges real service demands, delays accountability - editorial

The bill is a clear attempt by Netanyahu to move the goalpost as little as possible while keeping his ultra-Orthodox coalition partners satiated.

 Ultra orthodox Jews scuffle with police during a protest against the drafting of ultra orthodox jews outside an IDF Recruitment Center in Jeursalem, November 12, 2025.

Israel must stop pretending there is a workable haredi draft fix - opinion

Despite October 7, despite the near-existential threat situation Israel finds itself in across seven fronts, haredi leaders remain adamant that “yeshiva boys” cannot be drafted in any minimal way.

‘THE PHONY draft law about to be introduced by the new chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs & Defense Committee, Boaz Bismuth, certainly won’t do the job,’ the writer argues.

A defense of Israel's ultra-Orthodox - and a plea to their leadership - opinion

Haredim should organize large prayer gatherings not for their own needs but for the well-being of all our soldiers and all Israelis.

HAREDIM SCUFFLE with police outside Jerusalem’s IDF Recruitment Center, Nov. 12.

MK Mazarsky blasts Israel’s consolidation of eight ministries under two ministers

Israel’s winter surge in health and welfare demands exposes gaps created by overloaded ministries and stalled parliamentary committees

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, MK Tatiana Mazarsky, and Aliyah Return Center cofounder Chaim Malespin attend the Knesset Day of Prayer in Jerusalem, Nov. 26, 2025.

Ex-NSC chief Tzachi Hanegbi slams haredi draft bill, warns it endangers Israel’s future

"The IDF needs an additional thousand fighters," he continued. "The proposed law, as is, does not advance this goal; it enables dodging, and endangers the future of the state."

 Former National Security Council head Tzachi Hanegbi seen at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, July 14, 2025

New haredi draft bill grants 'amnesty' for haredim called-up since 2023 - explainer

The new haredi draft bill softens personal sanctions, allowing draft evaders to regularize their status around age 26. This flexibility draws sharp criticism from the opposition.

Haredi soldier