Israeli draft

The controversy over mixed-gender IDF units still ruffles Israeli society - opinion

The deeper challenge lies in the clash between equality at any price and adherence to Jewish law.

IDF forces during the “Sulfur and Fire” readiness exercise on May 15, 2026.
Maj.-Gen. Dado Bar Khalifa, head of the IDF’s Human Resources Department, addresses ultra-Orthodox recruits as they enlist in the military.

IDF draft moving forward amid Operation Roaring Lion, includes over 500 new immigrants

Young Israelis arrive to the Israeli army recruitment center at Tel Hashomer, outside of Tel Aviv on March 17, 2020.

IDF overhauls pre-draft medical screening checks during military conscription process with AI

Released Israeli hostage Nimrod Cohen at the funeral of Israeli soldier Staff Sgt. Daniel Oz, at the military cemetery in Kfar Saba.

Former hostage Nimrod Cohen announces return to IDF: 'Didn't do enough during my mandatory service'


Lapid, Eisenkot, and Bennett back reservists at Jerusalem draft law protest

"I hope that Knesset receives the message to promote a draft law and not a [draft] evasion law," Eisenkot said.

Yair Lapid and Gadi Eisenkot embrace at draft law protests in Jerusalem on January 15, 2026.

IDF cancels ultra-Orthodox Hashmonaim Brigade event for parents in Bnei Brak after haredi riot

The event was interrupted by a group of several dozen haredi extremists associated with the Jerusalem faction, who tried to break into the compound where the event was being held.

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

Katz rejects appt of Col. (res.) Gitelman, claims he promoted draft dodging

"Those who preach or encourage refusal will not serve in the IDF and will not be promoted to any position," Katz said.  

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir attends the funeral of Israeli soldier Hadar Goldin, who's body had been held captive by Hamas in Gaza since 2014 and released a few days ago, at the Kfar Saba military cemetery. November 11, 2025.

Bismuth's haredi draft bill advances in heated Knesset panel, lawmakers call it 'not nearly enough'

The continued discussions on the bill come after the chairperson of the committee, MK Boaz Bismuth (Likud), laid out his updated version of the legislation to the panel on Monday. 

Protests against haredi draft begins in Jerusalem, October 30, 2025.

'A movement takes time': How one rabbi is slowly changing the haredi draft debate

Behind protests and politics, a quiet revolution is reshaping ultra-Orthodox attitudes toward military service.

Ultra-Orthodox Jews carry a banner in Hebrew that reads, “to prison and not the army,” during a “million man” protest against military conscription, in Jerusalem October 30, 2025.

Haredi conscription debate heats up with protest and bill outline reveal

'It's not a conscription law, it’s a full-blown law for draft evasion. If this draft is advanced, not a single haredi will enlist,' said Lapid

 Ultra-Orthodox Jews clash with police during a protest against IDF conscription, near Bnei Brak, March 2, 2025

Equal burden on trial: What's at stake at the High Court's crucial haredi draft hearing - explainer

As war staggers on, the army faces a critical shortage, justices will weigh whether the State’s refusal to arrest draft evaders undermines both law and, principle of shared service.

Haredi protesters demonstrating against the IDF draft law blocking roads, September 18, 2025.

Haredi protesters block Jerusalem highway in protest against draft-dodger arrest orders

The police explained that rioters began to disrupt the order by blocking the traffic lanes near the String Bridge at the city's entrance.

Police declared the haredi protests illegal.

Tensions with ultra-Orthodox are second most divisive conflict in Israeli society, poll finds

The poll also shows how 83% of Israeli Jews support ensuring freedom of religion, namely, the freedom for both secular and religious citizens to live according to their own worldview. 

 An illustrative image of haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Israeli Jews near a sign for an IDF recruiting office.

Ultra-Orthodox MK Goldknopf asks Netanyahu to finance Chabad's trip to New York

This comes after the Breslov hassidim received a framework that allows for NIS 10 million to be used in their Rosh Hashanah pilgrimages to Uman, Ukraine.

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