Draft

IDF faces looming manpower gap as ultra-Orthodox draft fight stalls service extension

The haredi draft issue is growing in urgency as the bill returned to the Knesset agenda amid a coalition crisis that may dissolve the Knesset.

IDF troops active in Southern Lebanon, published on April 28, 2026.
MK Boaz Bismuth seen with Haredi MK's during a plenum session at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, January 14, 2026.

Haredi draft bill back on agenda ahead of Knesset dissolution vote

 Rabbi Dov Lando seen during a meeting to discuss the drafting of ultra-Orthodox jews to the IDF in the ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak, April 5, 2024.

Haredi spiritual leader gives green light for Degel Hatorah to disband gov't over draft law

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

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


IDF Chief Zamir freezes extended service commitments for special forces units

Zamir held a discussion on the matter on Saturday night regarding expanding the implementation of extended service commitments for IDF combat soldiers in special forces units within the ground forces

 IDF soldiers operating throughout the Gaza Strip, July 9, 2025.

Deri and Lapid clash over IDF draft law, sanctions on ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students

Aryeh Deri responded to the Attorney-General's discussion on the High Court of Justice consideration over the draft law and the plan to toughen sanctions against yeshiva students who don't enlist.

A view of the Shas party offices in Jerusalem, June 4, 2025

IDF to summon over 50,000 ultra-Orthodox Jews in massive push for haredi draft

All 54,000 ultra-Orthodox Jews eligible for military service will be called on to arrive for actual service by July 2026.

 ‘THE HAREDI leadership argues that it is forbidden to draft yeshiva students whose Torah is their profession and that they defend the State of Israel through their studies.’

Israeli election not expected soon following war with Iran, senior minister tells 'Post'

A minister said that the rumors of an election were to signal haredi parties were not afraid of being voted out amid conflict on the draft bill.

 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives to the courtroom at the Distrcit court in Tel Aviv, before the start of his testimony in the trial against him, June 3, 2025.

Vacation ruse, phantom trip, hostage decoy: How Israel misled Tehran before Iran strike – source

Israeli defense officials believe the element of surprise maximized the operation’s impact and may buy Israel critical time as Iran edges closer to nuclear breakout capability.

 The silhouette of a man, seen over the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran (illustrative)

Ultra-orthodox ultimatum pressures Netanyahu over military draft crisis - explainer

Seven weeks remain in the Knesset’s summer session. Amid the crisis, the opposition plans to place bills to dissolve the Knesset on the plenary agenda for next Wednesday.

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Construction and Housing Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf seen in Jerusalem, September 27, 2023

Haredi parties' Knesset boycott to continue for third straight week

This could change pending an assessment by haredi MKs later this week, according to one of the spokespersons.

 Haredi men are seen protesting the effort to draft ultra-Orthodox Israelis into the IDF.

How real is the haredi threat to topple the government? - analysis

Despite the growing calls, even within the coalition, for eligible haredi men to join the IDF, the reality on the ground has not changed very much.

 Anti-draft protests erupt in Jerusalem, May, 2025.

Lapid to TML: Haredim 'paid to dodge' as IDF scrambles for manpower - interview

In an interview with The Media Line, Yair Lapid, Matan Kahana, and Rabbi Yehoshua Pfeffer address Israel’s escalating draft crisis as tensions mount over haredi exemptions.

 Opposition head MK Yair Lapid speaks at a press conference in Jerusalem, April 20, 2025

IDF, AG can help with haredi draft, but real change is all about the PM - analysis

Zamir and Baharav-Miara are both under pressure by the High Court of Justice, which, due to draft dodging, already took away funds to haredim in April and August of 2024.

 Haredi men dressed in traditional ultra-Orthodox garb stand behind a group of religious IDF soldiers