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


By passing Torah Study law, Israel risks turning holiness into a bargaining chip - editorial

A government that truly cared about Torah would not use it to divide soldiers from students, mourners from politicians, and Jews from one another.

Ultra orthoodx jewish men block a road and clash with police during a protest against the jailing of yeshiva students who failed to comply with an army recruitment order, on road 6 near the Ben Shemen junction, June 11, 2026.

Editor's Notes: High Court ruling on women in tanks deepens religious divide in IDF - comment

Women who made history in tanks on Oct. 7 fought in all-female crews. Both camps in the Armored Corps dispute should be claiming that morning as a victory. Instead, both pretend it never happened.

DF armored forces at a staging area in southern Israel near the border with Gaza. January 01, 2024.

WATCH: Haredi draft protests shut down highways, trains for two hours, scuffle with police

One 21-year-old haredi protester was hit by a car on Highway 1, and one 93-year-old civilian man was injured in the protests.

Haredi protesters block a highway in Israel on June 11, 2026.

Shin Bet investigates haredi protests amid concerns over threats to government sites - report

The Shin Bet is investigating haredi anti-conscription protests after multiple disruptive incidents, amid concerns that future demonstrations could threaten government sites or officials.

Ultra-Orthodox Jews hold placards during a protest against conscription in Israel's military, in Jerusalem on October 30, 2025.

Knesset advances bill to enshrine Torah study into Basic Law, supporting haredi draft evaders

It proposes that the State of Israel "recognize those who commit themselves to long-term dedication to Torah study as performing significant service to the state and the Jewish people."

MK Tally Gotliv and and MK Ofir Katz attend a House committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem on, June 9, 2026.

Grapevine: Fiscal support for the ultra-Orthodox

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

Border Police go about coronavirus inspections in Mea Shearim, a haredi neighborhood in Jerusalem.

Ministerial committee approves Torah Study bill amid coalition tensions

Netanyahu’s coalition advances the Torah Study law, despite opposition and warnings that the bill could worsen draft evasion amid Israel’s manpower shortage.

Shas leader MK Aryeh Deri seen during a Shas party meeting, at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on January 23, 2023.

Shas pushes tone-deaf Torah study law while soldiers die in Lebanon, Gaza - comment

Those who see Torah study as essential should acknowledge the unique burden borne by those who leave their lives behind to defend the country, and that yeshiva study is not a comparable sacrifice.

Israel’s ultra-Orthodox Jewish sector has been protesting over the attempts to draft young haredi men into the military.

The rabbis attacking Israel’s courts are attacking Religious Zionism - opinion

The very ethos of Religious Zionism is integration: to bridge the sacred and the worldly, and to play an integral role in building the State of Israel.

Ultra orthodox jewish men protest against the jailing of yeshiva students who failed to comply with an army recruitment order, at the home of Supreme Court Deputy President Noam Sohlberg in the settlement of Alon Shvut, June 3, 2026.

Haredi parties to advance bill granting draft evaders equal rights to IDF soldiers

Shas party leader Arye Deri demanded that the legislation be rapidly advanced, and it is expected to be brought to the Knesset’s plenum for its preliminary reading this week.

Shas chairman MK Arye Deri attends the State Comptroller elections at the plenum of the Knesset, in Jerusalem, June 3, 2026.