Haredi draft

As he pushes for ultra-Orthodox draft, Moti Leitner aims to put the Haredi Public on a new path

POLITICAL AFFAIRS: Moti Leitner, head of the new Haredi Public Party, wants to encourage mandatory service and introduce core curriculum studies in ultra-Orthodox schools.

MOTI LEITNER, deputy mayor of Beit Shemesh and founder of the Haredi Public Party, at the ‘Jerusalem Post’ studio this week. Leitner argues that ‘those who aren’t studying must take responsibility’ by serving in the IDF or doing national service, while preserving full-time Torah study for select few
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks with 'Jerusalem Post' Editor in Chief Zvika Klein, August 12, 2026.

The secret Smotrich kept from his wife: Israel was going to war with Iran - interview

Haredi protesters gather to demand the release of a draft dodger, Ahisamach, August 9, 2026.

Haredi suspect found to be draft dodger after being detained over disruptively loud noise - report

HAREDI PROTESTERS block Highway 1, June 1, 2026; Illustrative.

Israel needs a Haredi draft compromise that protects Torah study and security - opinion


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.

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

This comes after Rabbi Aryeh Yazdi was heard cursing Zamir and calling him “accursed” and “may his name be erased.”

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.

Israel cannot afford Netanyahu’s capitulation to haredi demands - editorial

Netanyahu is echoing false claims about arrests in yeshivas while ignoring practical proposals that could increase haredi enlistment.

People walk past election posters for the upcoming elections in Jerusalem on October 24, 2022.

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.