Israel Defense Forces takes steps against ultra-Orthodox draftees ignoring callup notices

Haredi protest against the draft. (Photo: Itai Ron/Flash90)

The IDF Spokesperson announced today (Friday) that the army has begun proceedings against ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) pre-military age individuals who did not report for enlistment according to Section 12 of the Security Service Law, after exhausting all required processes for this purpose.

The IDF reiterated that according to the law, "a pre-military age individual who did not report for their enlistment in accordance with the orders they received will be considered as committing an unauthorized absence offense and may face criminal sanctions."

The Spokesperson asserted that "the IDF is the people's army and operates professionally and officially to recruit all those required for service, in accordance with the law and the political echelon's directives. The IDF invests significant efforts in recruiting ultra-Orthodox individuals under conditions that allow them to maintain their lifestyle and beliefs."

Earlier this week, Defense Minister Israel Katz presented his principles for a proposed draft law before the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

Katz said that he seeks to both relieve the burden on those serving in the regular and reserve forces while also maintaining the Torah world. The Defense Minister said that he seeks to ultimately draft 50% of every Haredi cohort within seven years, and that he would start with 4,800 draftees this year, 5,700 next year, with further increases after that.

Katz said that he intended to include institutional and personal sanctions against those who were not formally exempt from the draft according to the proposed law, but also cautioned that without the consent of the Haredi community and especially the Haredi spiritual leadership, draft numbers would plummet, regardless of the legal situation.

For his part, Likud MK Yuli Edelstein, Chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, which would have to approve any such law before sent to a Knesset vote, said he will not support a law that only provides a temporary solution or which is spread out over time.

Edelstein insists on a law that includes a draft in high numbers and which is focused solely on combat and combat support troops, not civilian volunteers.