Poll: Overwhelming majority of Charedim oppose draft, even for non-yeshivah students

With the fate of a possible draft bill in the balance at the Supreme Court, Charedi Rabbis and leaders still set the tone and refuse any compromise on the question of a draft.

81% of Charedim polled by Midgam support a letter issued by Sefardi Rabbis per which "even a young man who doesn't learn Torah must not enlist," and that "better jail than the army."

The poll also reveals that 65% support leaving the coalition if yeshivah students are forced to enlist.

86% say that if Netanyahu supports the draft, the political partnership between Charedi parties and Likud can be dismantled.

Yehudit Itzkowitz, a Charedi activist, said that "the unequivocal statements against the draft are mostly for show, behind the scenes there is increasing drafting of Charedim who don't find their place in yeshivah, even with the encouragement of Charedi Rabbis."

The Israel Democracy Institute also found 86% of Charedim opposing the encouragement of drafting Charedim to the army.

Some 50% even believe that prayers and Torah study benefit the country more than enlistment.